It is amazing to think that with all the verses and even chapters in the New Testament, that many churches today do not believe in grace. They may use the word, but in truth its only lip service and empty breaths of air. In their hearts and their theology and rites is a disbelief and unbelief in Christ's all sufficient sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:1-18). The Gospel is as much under threat by the outside forces of Athiesm, Post Modernism, Islam, and other religions as from within. There is a zeal in many brothers and sisters in Christ to merit, to do this saving act of grace themselves, which is ironic because grace by definition is "unmerited favor." The strain of the Law is not fully broken, its yoke is still strong on many churches, when the Law and Old Covenant of sacrifices of men is obsolete, "When God speaks of a "new" covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear," (Hebrews 8:13), "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me, In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are required by the Law), Then he said, "Look, I have come to do your will." He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all," (Hebrews 10:4-6, 8-10), and "then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10, 12).
The truth is that when a person reads the Holy Bible and experiance's God's Holy Spirit there is a great rest and satisfaction. There was once simplicity of devotion in the new believer, "" (2 Corinthians 11:3). But then seminaries, scholars, and those who are "always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth," (2 Timothy 3:7) introduce new gospels and false christs (2 Corinthians 11:4, Matthew 24:24, Galatians 1:8-9). Religious experts aren't content for a Christian to be free in Christ and enjoy a pure and simple devotion (2 Corinthians 11:3), they want like Pharisees and Religious Law makers of Jesus' day to lay up heavy burdens on people (Matthew 23:1-5). The result usually manifests into a works based salvation, a confusion of Bible verses, making one verse like "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (altogether a better translation would be: Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear, NLT)," (Philippians 2:12), which is only found once, and ignoring the fifty or more verses that say, "For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]," (Ephesians 2:8-9 AMPC), "But what does it say? The Word (God’s message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach, Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation," (Romans 10:8-10), " For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day," (John 6:40), and "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique, not made) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]" (John 3:16,18). What happens is that the seminarians and scholars of Christendom want to confuse people to control them. They are like Pharisees who want to have power over others via the doctrines of men, "Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'" (Mark 7:7 NLT).
Oswald Chambers best captures the spirit that lives in these men and women who can't embrace the simplicity of the Gospel and devotion to Christ. Oswald says, "The gospel of the grace of God awakens an intense longing in human souls and an equally intense resentment, because the truth that it reveals is not palatable or easy to swallow. There is a certain pride in people that causes them to give and give, but to come and accept a gift is another thing. I will give my life to martyrdom; I will dedicate my life to service— I will do anything. But do not humiliate me to the level of the most hell-deserving sinner and tell me that all I have to do is accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ." (Utmost For His Highest, November 28th). Chambers is touching on a theme explored by St. Augustine and Martin Luther, the truth that we were sinners who can never do enough good to out do the bad inside us, and our only hope is that Jesus Christ who is God taking our punishment and via His blood can remove the taint and stain of sin. This revelation as Chambers shares awakens a pride in many believers, rather than thankfulness, they feel their self-centered piety under threat and so create schools and books to lead people astray as the super apostles of Satan so often do, " But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things,These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve." (2 Corinthains 11:3-4, 5, 13-15).
The Gospel should raise a resounding cry of joy in hearts of sinners who are transformed into saints and believers. But for many, sadly, the bitter resentment of losing pride and control of their own pious self denial and path to salvation (see Colossians 2:23). The Pharisees live on in pastors, preachers, seminary teachers, and more, perhaps this is why Jesus said call no one your pastor or rabbi, nor call anyone your teacher (Matthew 23:5-7). Christ Jesus rebuked the Pharisees severely in a whole chapter of the Gospel According to the Apostle Matthew. Here are some highlights that actually best sum up why seminary teachers, pastors, priests, and other clergy do to many Christians who had a vital, simple, and pure faith in Christ:
"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden." (Matthew 23:1-4).
This is exactly what many ministers and seminarian teachers do. They put burdens of intellect, wisdom of the world disguised as wisdom from God (Mark 7:7). In churches, in cloisters, in Bible colleges, and even the collection of books outside the Bible, they crush people with ideas and doctrines not found in the Scriptures and repeat the damaging effect of Pharisees.
"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi“ Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ (today's equilvant is Pastor and Priest) for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 23:5-7).
- This is perhaps the most unpopular Bible verses in the New Testament. Most Pastors and Priests will avoid it, because it would call into question their authority. Jesus is speaking here, we are to call each other brother and sister, just as Christ considers us a brother and sister (Hebrews 1 or 2 find verse). The title of Rabbi is the equivalent of Pastor today, and many older Bible Translation use to add call "no one your rabbi or pastor," but that has since be removed. Jesus reveals that such titles and attitudes makes men proud, they hold their position and seek to be lauded and loved for their expertise and brilliance (pride of life see 1 John 2:16). More importantly, Christ is actually telling us He is out teacher and we can learn directly from Him and his words in the Scriptures and the Spirit inspired words of his brothers or apostles.
"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either." (Matthew 23:13-14).
- Perhaps there is no better verse to summarize the Medieval Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and all other clergy who create Sacramental systems that keep people out of heaven, when the Gospel of the New Testament promises heaven and salvation for those who believe (Romans 10:9-10, John 3;16, John 6:40). Many pastors, priests, and teachers in Seminary seek to do this, they want to keep you out of Kingdom of Heaven, but neither do they want to enter, in fact they probably would be content is Christ never returned!
"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell[f] you yourselves are!" (Matthew 23:15).
- This is a disturbing verse nad probably cross refernces with, "Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws." (Matthew 7:21-23). There are dangerious pastors, priests, and spiritual people who will try to convert you from a pure and simple devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3-4) and they if they can will lead you to hell. So beware brothers and sister in Christ! Jesus is warning us that religious leaders can be Satan's emissaries!
"Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’ 17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding. 19 How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it. 21 And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it. 22 And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne." (Matthew 23:16-22)
Ironically this is the model of every modern church (exceptions being House Churches) where they make no objection to heresy preached in their church or strange miracles that aren't in the New Testmarnt, but if money is involved its sacred and they jealously protect it. Such an attitude is exactly what Jesus confronts elsewhere, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money," (Matthew 6:24), "Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be," (Matthew 6:19-21), "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," (1 Timothy 6:9-10, see Ezekiel 28 to discover that the evil one known as devil invented money and trade), and, "The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced." (Matthew 13:22).
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[g] but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. 24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:23-24).
- This literally describes many pastors, and their churches. Tithes are put at top of importance, as they cite out of context Malachi 3, which is actually a rebuke and request of Levite Priests! Tithing in old testament was grain, it was for famine. Today, most pastors and churches don't dispense justice, they don't help wives being abused by husbands, because the husband is an elder or pays a good tithe, they don't show mercy towards those who don't contribute much money, and finally they don't make faith in Christ paramount as seen in Revelation 14:12 and Hebrew 3:6.
"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too." (Matthew 23:25-26).
- We have beautiful churches, stain glass, golden domes, amphitheaters, giant two hundred inch projector screens, light shows, concert music, and more, but this is beautiful cup with filith inside, for many of these churches don't teach the Scriptures or the Gospel correctly, I even attending one that failed to mention in a call to Gospel to mention the Resurrection of Christ, the pastor simply said, "Jesus was Crucified, the end." What if churches spent more time cleaning the inside of the cup, and being a living Christian community like the early church of Acts and 2 Corinthians? Wha if the church instead of worrying over money actually believed God will take care of their needs, see my last post The God of Rest.
"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:27-28).
Perhaps every cold and cruel Catholic Priest or Pastor best exemplifies this. Outwardly they make all observances, but inside their hearts are corrupt and lawless which is full of antichrist (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-18). The impurity part could easily be both spiritually and the scandals of the Catholic Church and the abused children.
"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed. 30 Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets. But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started. 33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?" (Matthew 23:31-33)
It is incredible how relevant these Bible verses are to clergy today. As aforementioned Jesus Christ said call no man your father, pastor or rabbi, or teacher. This is why, people who take a post as the super spiritual leader often become full of hypocrisy, pride, and control. They make manmade laws out to be God's laws (Mark 7:7) and start twisting the Truth of Christ and Gospel (John 3;16, Romans 10:9-10) into a corrupt gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:8-9). So beware brothers and sisters in Christ. Test all things via The Holy Bible, especially via New Testament, and by Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:4-12).
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