No, not apart from Christ or knowing God personally.
Hebrews 11:4-10 "It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God (NLT)."
Although Abraham lived before the Messiah's coming and did not meet Jesus personally, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith (Rom 4:3)."
The bible tells us that, even though people that have not personally met Jesus or have known of the Mosaic Law know what is right and what is wrong.
Romans 2:14-16 "Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. 16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life (New Living Translation)."
In other words, "when Gentiles who have not the [divine] Law do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, since they do not have the Law. They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them]. On that day when, as my Gospel proclaims, God by Jesus Christ will judge men in regard to the things which they conceal (their hidden thoughts) (Romans 2:14-16, AMP)."
Jesus will judge men by their conscience, they will have no excuse.
Thank God for Jesus Christ!
Revealing God's grace and truth to a confused church, the unbelieving and a dying world.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Blind Guides
Matthew 23:23,24 - “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel (KJV).”
Matthew 23:23,24 - “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, 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. Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! (NLT)”
Many Christians, who are pro-tithers, have told me that tithing is a command from Jesus and He still wants Christians to tithe. They will use this verse above to back up their claims. However, like most people who do not pay attention to what the Scripture actually says, they read and see what they want to see and unfortunately, they have missed the boat.
What is the context of this verse? What are the circumstances or events that form the environment within which this event exists or takes place? What are some things that we should take note of here?
The first thing I notice is that Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and “scribes,” which are “teachers of religious law.” Also, He is rebuking them for something they are doing wrong with a “woe.” Third, Jesus calls them hypocrites! Why would Jesus call them “hypocrites” if they are tithing? Fourth, I noticed that tithing must consist of herbs or grown items, possibly from a garden or crop. Fifth, I notice that Jesus infers that tithing is a “matter of the law” or an “aspect of the law” and that there are more important issues involved such as “judgment, mercy and faith.” Have you mastered the latter three? If not, I suggest you worry more about judgment, mercy and faith rather than about tithing so religiously every week.
Then, Jesus said to the teachers of religious law, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” In other words, “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” That is usually where the pro-tither stops and says, “See? Jesus want us to tithe!”
My response:
This event occurred BEFORE Jesus died on the cross, so the Old Testament was still in effect. Jesus is NOT talking to a Christian, who is under grace, but to a teacher of the Mosaic Law, who is under the law! Christians have been crucified with Christ. How can a dead man follow a law?
The reason Jesus calls the teachers of religious law “hypocrites” is because they scrupulously tithed, even to the tiniest frigin’ mint leaf, but yet they disregard the more important aspects of the law. They are so worried about the little things, such as tithing and following the law, that they have missed the greater things that are most important to God.
Hypocrite Behavior: Geneva Study Bible, People's New Testament
1. Hypocrites take special care in small matters, and neglect the things which matter the very most.
2. Hypocrites cannot endure others to be better than themselves.
3. It is a common thing among hypocrites to abuse the pretence of zeal when in reality they are exercising covetousness and extortion.
4. Literally, actors.
5. Hypocrites pay too much attention to outward things, and the inward things they utterly condemn.
6. Hypocrites, when they try the most to cover up their wickedness, it is then by the just judgment of God that they shame themselves.
7. Hypocrites are cruel.
Blind guides! Are you blind, or have your eyes been opened?
Do you deal fairly to convey the true qualities, especially the merits, of someone? Do you show kindness or forgiveness, especially if you are a person who has power (like a judge, police officer or school teacher) over someone else? Do trust God with your life, family and finances? Do you unconditionally love other Christians, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it?
If you have not perfected these things, then you may want to worry about ministering to your first priority, which is your family. Second, comes your stewardship of things God has blessed you with and lastly, generously giving to others who are in need.
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (NAS).”
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel (KJV).”
Matthew 23:23,24 - “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, 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. Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! (NLT)”
Many Christians, who are pro-tithers, have told me that tithing is a command from Jesus and He still wants Christians to tithe. They will use this verse above to back up their claims. However, like most people who do not pay attention to what the Scripture actually says, they read and see what they want to see and unfortunately, they have missed the boat.
What is the context of this verse? What are the circumstances or events that form the environment within which this event exists or takes place? What are some things that we should take note of here?
The first thing I notice is that Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and “scribes,” which are “teachers of religious law.” Also, He is rebuking them for something they are doing wrong with a “woe.” Third, Jesus calls them hypocrites! Why would Jesus call them “hypocrites” if they are tithing? Fourth, I noticed that tithing must consist of herbs or grown items, possibly from a garden or crop. Fifth, I notice that Jesus infers that tithing is a “matter of the law” or an “aspect of the law” and that there are more important issues involved such as “judgment, mercy and faith.” Have you mastered the latter three? If not, I suggest you worry more about judgment, mercy and faith rather than about tithing so religiously every week.
Then, Jesus said to the teachers of religious law, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” In other words, “You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” That is usually where the pro-tither stops and says, “See? Jesus want us to tithe!”
My response:
This event occurred BEFORE Jesus died on the cross, so the Old Testament was still in effect. Jesus is NOT talking to a Christian, who is under grace, but to a teacher of the Mosaic Law, who is under the law! Christians have been crucified with Christ. How can a dead man follow a law?
The reason Jesus calls the teachers of religious law “hypocrites” is because they scrupulously tithed, even to the tiniest frigin’ mint leaf, but yet they disregard the more important aspects of the law. They are so worried about the little things, such as tithing and following the law, that they have missed the greater things that are most important to God.
Hypocrite Behavior: Geneva Study Bible, People's New Testament
1. Hypocrites take special care in small matters, and neglect the things which matter the very most.
2. Hypocrites cannot endure others to be better than themselves.
3. It is a common thing among hypocrites to abuse the pretence of zeal when in reality they are exercising covetousness and extortion.
4. Literally, actors.
5. Hypocrites pay too much attention to outward things, and the inward things they utterly condemn.
6. Hypocrites, when they try the most to cover up their wickedness, it is then by the just judgment of God that they shame themselves.
7. Hypocrites are cruel.
Blind guides! Are you blind, or have your eyes been opened?
Do you deal fairly to convey the true qualities, especially the merits, of someone? Do you show kindness or forgiveness, especially if you are a person who has power (like a judge, police officer or school teacher) over someone else? Do trust God with your life, family and finances? Do you unconditionally love other Christians, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it?
If you have not perfected these things, then you may want to worry about ministering to your first priority, which is your family. Second, comes your stewardship of things God has blessed you with and lastly, generously giving to others who are in need.
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (NAS).”
Labels:
blindness,
grace,
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old testament,
pharisee,
spiritually blind,
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