Tag: Pharisees

The Heart Of True Righteousness

Halloween is around the corner! A time for dressing up and filling the pockets of Big Dentist. It’s definitely one of those holidays that’s more fun when you’ve got young kids that, as the parent, you get to decide what will make your child look the funniest. 

Dale Pollard

Halloween is around the corner! A time for dressing up and filling the pockets of Big Dentist. It’s definitely one of those holidays that’s more fun when you’ve got young kids that, as the parent, you get to decide what will make your child look the funniest. 

Jesus spends a good deal of time explaining to his followers about the dangers of wearing masks when it comes to righteousness, though. He preaches against practicing religious acts to gain human approval rather than God’s. He defines hypocrisy not by what one does, but by the motivation behind it (6.1-18). 

Here’s a walkthrough of the first half of the chapter. 

  • Giving to the needy (6:1–4): Jesus condemns giving with a flourish of “trumpets,” a metaphor for publicizing one’s good deeds for praise. Instead, he instructs believers to give in secret, so that only God, “who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. The reward hypocrites receive—the praise of people—is temporary and fleeting, unlike God’s eternal reward.
  • Praying to God (6:5–15): Just like giving is about God, prayer is meant for God’s ears, not human ones. Jesus criticizes those who pray publicly on street corners to be seen as pious. He teaches believers to pray privately in a room with the door shut to avoid hypocrisy.
    • The Lord’s Prayer: Jesus provides a model (a template) for prayer that focuses on…

1.     Honoring God

2.     Submitting to his will (before personal needs)

3.     Humility through a reliance on God for daily bread

4.     The necessity of forgiving others to be forgiven.

  • Fasting with purpose (6:16–18): Fasting was a common spiritual discipline in Jesus’ day, but some hypocrites would put on a gloomy face to make sure others noticed their “holiness.” Jesus teaches to fast without outward display, anointing their head and washing their face as they normally would. This practice, when done for God, will be rewarded by Him. 

Our relationship with God must be one that survives the privacy of our homes. It can’t be like a three piece suit that’s put on when the occasion calls for it.

The Praise Of Men Vs. The Praise Of God

Even among the Jewish leaders of Christ’s time, many believed—yet “for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess” Him (John 12.42 ESV). This demonstrated faith without bravery and conviction without the willingness to admit it openly. These men acknowledged Jesus was from God, but their understanding was superficial, held back by the fear of being excommunicated.

Brent Pollard

The Paralysis of Secret Faith

Even among the Jewish leaders of Christ’s time, many believed—yet “for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess” Him (John 12.42 ESV). This demonstrated faith without bravery and conviction without the willingness to admit it openly. These men acknowledged Jesus was from God, but their understanding was superficial, held back by the fear of being excommunicated.

What caused their faith to weaken? John offers a precise diagnosis: “For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12.43 NASB95). They valued human praise more than divine favor, choosing the temporary security of their standing in the synagogue over the eternal approval of God.

Fortunately, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea eventually overcame their spiritual hesitation and publicly honored Christ during His burial. However, their initial reluctance serves as a reminder: faith that is too afraid to stand firm is too fragile to save.

The Tyranny of Human Approval

Christ Himself revealed this spiritual contradiction: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5.44 ESV). The question strikes at the core—those who are fixated on human approval cannot accept divine truth. They have selected their master, and it is not God.

This dependence on popular opinion turns aspiring followers into spiritual chameleons, altering their stance to fit the crowd. When religion is performed for applause, it becomes mere theater. God isn’t impressed by our polished public faith; He longs for genuine devotion that can stand alone if needed.

The “approval of men” that John describes acts as a demanding tyrant. It demands continuous performance, constant adjustment, and ongoing worry about how others see them. Those who serve this master often stay silent when the truth is unpopular and compromise their principles if speaking out risks their reputation.

How many souls have acknowledged Christ’s truth yet stay unbaptized, afraid of man’s reproach? How frequently do we modify our Christian beliefs to gain social approval? John 12.43, like Matthew 6.24, reminds us of a harsh truth: we cannot serve two masters. We must choose to live for either human praise or divine approval—never both.

The Liberation of Divine Focus

Scripture urges a complete reorientation. Paul exemplified this freedom by speaking difficult truths to the Galatians, even if it upset them: “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4.16 NASB95). He recognized that serving Christ involves giving up the desire to seek human approval (Galatians 1.10). At times, being faithful means facing unpopularity.

This isn’t just stubbornness; it’s a form of spiritual wisdom. Human approval is unreliable—today’s hero could be tomorrow’s villain. Public opinion is transient, like shifting sand, providing no steady ground for major life decisions. In contrast, God’s approval is constant, grounded in His unchanging nature and divine plans.

The Father honors those who honor His Son. Jesus assured that faithful followers will be acknowledged by the Father (John 12.26). This remarkable truth reveals that the Creator of the universe bestows His praise on those who support Him. No human commendation can match hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the King (Matthew 25.21 ESV).

The Practical Path Forward

This truth calls for action. We need to evaluate our motivations honestly: Are we content with a comfortable Christianity, or are we willing to confess Christ boldly, regardless of the cost? Do we choose which truths to speak based on their social acceptance?

The way ahead involves developing a divine preference—a heart that prioritizes God’s opinion above all else. This is achieved by meditating on God’s sovereignty, repeatedly reminding ourselves that He alone decides ultimate success or failure. It also develops through prayer, which aligns our hearts with His purposes instead of human expectations.

We should also keep in mind that opposition frequently indicates orthodoxy. When the world praises our faith, it’s essential to reflect on whether we’ve softened its firm edges. Christ assured us that following Him would attract reproach, not widespread approval.

The Eternal Perspective

Choosing between human and divine approval boils down to selecting the fleeting over the everlasting. Human praise, like morning mist, dissipates quickly, whereas God’s approval lasts forever. In John 12, rulers exchanged eternal recognition for temporary social security, resulting in an infinite loss.

However, those who seek God’s approval realize a freeing truth: His judgment is ultimately the only one that counts. When Judgment Day comes, the praise of people will fade away, but the Master’s “well done” will resonate forever.

Let us therefore eliminate the desire for worldly approval that stifles spiritual courage. Instead, let’s foster a love for God and His truth—a love that inspires holy boldness. While John’s rebuke is sharp (“they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God”), his underlying message is freeing: pursue the glory that only God can give.

His approval surpasses every worldly praise. His favor goes beyond all human admiration. Be discerning in choosing your audience—eternity is at stake.

A Fondness For Flogging

Only God knows heart and motives, but we need to guard against a fondness for going after people for their perceived perpetrations. We need to be sure that we are not making mountains out of mole hills, mistaking what offends our sensitivities with what violates God’s will, or making our scruples the standard which others must pledge allegiance to.

Neal Pollard

A Fondness For Flogging

Neal Pollard

Richard Snow authored the book, Sailing The Graveyard Sea, which details the only alleged case of mutiny in the history of the U.S. Navy. There are many interesting circumstances and subplots in this infamous incident, including a failed apprenticeship program, the captain’s literary success, and the sitting secretary of war’s son, accused as the mutiny’s ringleader, and his fascination with piracy. Another notable detail was ship captain Alexander MacKenzie’s fondness for flogging. Snow records that “during his six weeks at anchor in New York, MacKenzie put the colt (a type of whip, NP) to use 422 times, for crimes that ranged from spitting and throwing tea on the deck to blasphemy and ‘skulking'” (69). A former sailor under his charge called out the captain in print for cruel and unusual punishment, saying “he was noted for his cruelty to the men for small offenses and trifling accidents” (ibid.). 

Whatever drove MacKenzie to such fanatical levels of discipline (frequent flogging for apparently minor offenses was somewhat characteristic of that era), it would come up in his court-martial and hang over him in infamy. No less than James Fenimore Cooper would serve as his critic in what became known as “the Somers affair.” 

Jesus tangled with a group who had a verbal tendency to flog those who would not conform to their views. Even the rulers (Jewish leaders) were intimidated by the Pharisees, “for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). To the healed blind man that stood up to them, they rebuked, “‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?’ So they put him out” (John 9:34). This was part of their larger conspiracy to intimidate those who believed in Jesus (John 9:22). 

No one was a more favored object of their verbal abuse than Jesus. Three times they accused Him of having a demon for accurately calling out their wickedness (John 7:20; 8:48, 52). They accused Him of working for Satan, leading them to blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Mat. 12:25ff). They watched Him closely to find a reason to accuse Him (Luke 6:7). Yet, Jesus had no problem calling them out for it. He says, “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel” (Mat. 23:24). Read that entire chapter for a divine assessment of their tactics.

A love and passion for truth is praised in Scripture, but a fondness for flogging is not! Truth must be spoken in love (Eph. 4:15), kindness, patience, and gentleness (2 Tim. 2:24-25), and a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Long ago, Solomon had said, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1; cf. 15:18; 25:15). God puts such actions as “disputes, dissensions, factions” in the category of works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). 

Only God knows heart and motives, but we need to guard against a fondness for going after people for their perceived perpetrations. We need to be sure that we are not making mountains out of mole hills, mistaking what offends our sensitivities with what violates God’s will, or making our scruples the standard which others must pledge allegiance to. A faith in the Father’s form of teaching is imperative, but a fondness for flogging is improper! 

The Third Rail

Why is Romans 14 one of the most controversial chapters in the Bible? How do we balance our conscience, our liberty, and our brother’s convictions? Gary explores some helpful principles in today’s post.

Gary Pollard

One of the least quoted or studied verses in all of the New Testament is Rom 14.22 — “You should keep your beliefs about these [freedoms] a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty.” The ESV reads, “The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.” The NASB, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” The NKJV, “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” 

The verses that come after this are equally important and we’ll get to those. It does seem like the “average” Christian has an intuitive understanding of the principles we’re going to look at. Not all do, and some use these verses to justify unquestionably sinful behavior. However — at least in my limited experience — they are usually in the minority. One of the arguments used by proponents of individual liberties (in a secular and social context) is that “freedom is inherently dangerous.” The tendency of a minority to abuse this freedom does not make legitimate any restrictions placed on the majority. Jesus directed most of his anger toward the teachers and textual experts of his day, especially the Pharisees. Whether their audience is small or great, teachers and preachers have an awesome responsibility! They can and do shape the hearts and convictions of their audiences, which in turn creates culture. In the timeless and understandable spirit of abundant caution, some have very vocally implemented prohibitions where God has not. Black and white always meet at the no-man’s-land of gray; both must respect the decisions of the other in how they interact with it. Romans 14 beautifully teaches us how to manage the clashes of conviction that inevitably occur in this uncomfortable and ambiguous zone. On one hand, keep your beliefs about these things a secret between you and God. On the other, don’t do anything that will hurt the faith of your brother or sister. This is how God asks us to handle these issues, and this is what we should teach. Anything stricter or more permissive than this is unscriptural by definition! 

What I’m getting to is that this verse also applies to many of the controversial, third-rail issues that have caused division, but which are not explicitly or implicitly condemned in scripture. Such questionable activities may not be intrinsically sinful, but can very quickly become sinful for different reasons. The slippery slope argument is the heart of Pharisaism (not to mention logical fallacy), so that cannot be used against such issues. However, the ways our freedoms can potentially affect our brothers and sisters in Christ are absolutely relevant! We must also remember one of the core messages of Romans 14 — Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do, and don’t argue with them about their different ideas (1). This isn’t the only message in our text, though. Here are some other relevant verses to consider:  

If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you aren’t really following the way of love (15). 

Don’t destroy anyone’s faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them (15). 

Don’t allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil (16). 

In God’s kingdom, what we eat or drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy. Whoever serves Christ by living this way is pleasing to God and they will be accepted by others (17-18). 

So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith (19). 

Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is acceptable to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that hurts the faith of your brother or sister (20-21). 

Instead, you should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty (22). 

But anyone who eats something without being sure it is right is doing wrong. That’s because they didn’t believe it was ok. If you do anything that you believe isn’t ok, it is sin (23). 

Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do, and don’t argue with them about their different ideas (1). 

Those who know they can eat any kind of food must not feel that they are better than those who abstain. And those who abstain must not decide that those who eat all foods are doing wrong. God has accepted them. You cannot condemn someone else’s servant! Their own master decides if they are doing right or wrong. And the Master’s servants will be right because the Master is able to make them right (3-4). 

We don’t live or die for just ourselves. If we live, we are living for the Master. And if we die, we are dying for the Master. So living or dying, we belong to the Master (8). 

So why do you condemn your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think you’re better than they are? We will all stand before God and he will judge us all (10). 

Each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do (12). 

So we should stop condemning each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith (13). 

You accepted Christ Jesus as Master, so continue to live following him. You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God. Be sure you aren’t led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world (Col 2.6-8). 

“New And Improved”

Neal Pollard

His ministry is exploding, His popularity expanding, and His teaching exposing, but His opponents are exasperating. Luke relates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. His antagonists had already reasoned in their hearts that Jesus was a blasphemer (5:20), and now they will get more vocal in their criticism. They represented what was, the status quo. As it was, the Pharisees and scribes held sway over the people and kept them in line with their self-serving interpretation of the Old Law. Jesus comes along and changes their rules, sharing God’s truth, God’s values, and God’s priorities. It clashed with their comfortable norms.

JESUS CHANGED WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW GOD (27-30). This starts with His calling of Levi, the tax collector. A hated class, publicans not only collected taxes from their fellow-Jews for the Roman Empire, they lived well by taking more than was required by Rome (cf. 19:8). So, they were considered traitors and thieves. Jesus gave Levi the chance to overcome his sinful past. He expands that opportunity to others, whom the Pharisees and scribes call “tax collectors and sinners” (30). This “rabble” was beneath these spiritual “giants,” but not beneath the Son of God. He wanted them to follow Him. What a needed reminder for us as we seek “prospects” to follow God today. 

JESUS CHANGED HOW ONE SHOULD LOOK AT THE LOST (30-32). Instead of hopeless and useless, Jesus saw them as spiritually sick, but valuable, souls in need of His healing. The compassion He demonstrated in helping the physical outcasts like the leper and paralytic He now shows to the spiritual outcasts like the tax collectors and the other people at Levi’s table. If anyone ever had a reason and right to look down on sinners, it was Jesus. But that seems to be the farthest thing from His mind. How do they look from our point of view? How do we show it?

JESUS CHANGED WHAT KIND OF OUTLOOK A FOLLOWER CAN HAVE (33-35). That Jesus could so freely enjoy a fellowship meal with this “rabble” clashed with their own concept of “faithfulness” (the Pharisees had disciples, too, 33).  It wasn’t that John’s approach pleased them any better (see 7:30-35), but they attempted to use John’s methodology against Jesus to pit them against each other. Jesus alludes to what lay ahead for Him, when He would no longer be with them, and what lay ahead for them when they would be persecuted for their faithfulness to Him. Though there would be tough times ahead, He wanted them to focus on the joy they could experience in their daily walk with Him. This is so helpful to us, not to worry about the troubles of the future but to strengthen our relationship with Jesus each day. This helps us now and later. 

JESUS CHANGED WHERE PEOPLE SHOULD TURN FOR TRUTH (36-39). While the scribes and Pharisees wanted people to submit to their shallow righteousness and tainted view of the Law of Moses, Jesus wanted people to accept the new revelation He came to earth to bring. He came to fulfill the law, both to reveal it and accomplish it (Mat. 5:17-18; Luke 16:15-17). What He was teaching could not be superimposed on the Old Law; such a patchwork approach did not honor the Law and did not accurately represent Jesus’ teaching. There was perfect harmony between them, but His new way was superior in every way to it. To these religious leaders, whose pride and position were at stake, that idea was repulsive. But for those truly in search of God, this was what they were looking for! 

We’re 2,000 years removed from this cultural situation. However, we must still be very careful that we do not allow the traditions and customs that we inevitably establish to be on a par with Jesus’ doctrine. That requires diligent, regular Bible study. It means approaching God’s Word without a tainted, preconceived point of view. Evaluate based on what it says, not what we prefer. This will change who we approach, how we approach them, and what we approach them with. But, oh what a great “product” we have to share! 

Rules

Gary Pollard

This week’s question is, “Should we always follow the rules, even if doing so causes someone harm?” 

What kind of rules? We often hear something like, “We are a nation of laws.” Yes we are — best estimates put the number of our laws and regulations in the hundreds of thousands. Some have even claimed that the average American unknowingly commits a small number of felonies every day. Not all laws/rules are created equal. Some are important (ie. to prevent serious abuse and exploitation of the vulnerable), most are totally arbitrary. 

The Pharisees did the same thing with God’s law. By the time Judaism was in full swing, there were around 613 laws. But rabbis were dissatisfied with how vague some of the commands were, so rather than leaving those to a person’s conscience or common sense, they eventually produced the Mishnah and Gemara. These were commentaries on The Law that “clarified” how those 613 commands were to be followed. Those opinions were enforced as law, which infuriated Jesus on several occasions. The rabbis had made faithful Judaism functionally impossible. 

So the short answer is, “What’s the rule your conscience is wrestling with?” If following the rule in question would cause you to violate love for God or love for your neighbor, that’s a legitimate reason to not follow the rule. 

We do have to remember that Romans 13 and I Peter 2.13ff and Titus 3.1-2 tell us to obey the laws and rules our governments put on us. The governments those early Christians had to obey were just as corrupt as our own today. If there was any confusion, Peter clarified with “Obey everyone who has authority over you in this world” (I Pt 2.13). He does use παση, which means “all” or “every”. 

I don’t like reading stuff like that. We’re supposed to be a country built on English common law tradition, with protections against government abuse explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights and in precedents from hundreds of legal cases. But this current world is not my home, and I’m more afraid of God than I am distrustful of the powers that be. The Bible doesn’t say, “Snitch on friends and family when they violate the law.” But it does say that we have to obey all governing authorities from the top down. 

So do we always have to follow the rules, even if doing so causes harm to others? Yes and no — remember that loving God and loving your fellow man are the most important laws. Be willing to sacrifice self rather than cause undeserved harm to others. But any law/rule that doesn’t conflict with those two must always be followed, regardless of the consequences.  

Remember Lot’s Wife

Carl Pollard

Nowhere in the Bible are we told to remember Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. We are not commanded to remember Ruth or Rahab, David or Joshua, but we are commanded to remember Lot’s wife!

What is there to remember? She was married to Lot and she lived in Sodom. 

These cities were notorious for their wickedness and moral decay. Before God’s judgment came on Sodom and Gomorrah, she, along with her husband and two unmarried daughters, was forced from the city. God sent angels to urge Lot and his family to flee the city. They were all commanded not to look behind them as they fled (Gen. 19:17), but she disobeyed and was instantly killed and transformed into a pillar of salt.

Apparently, there is more to the story, and Jesus gives us that insight. Her glance back at the city represents more than just curiosity, it was longing for a life she was leaving behind. There are some lessons that can be learned from Lot’s wife. 

Our assignment from the Lord is that we remember her. But before we jump into our main scripture, we need some context. 

In Luke 17, Jesus has just been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come. His answer is to warn them to be ready because the coming of the kingdom is like the flash of lightening that instantly lights the sky. It is compared to the coming of the flood in Noah’s day and to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot’s day. On the day of the flood, people got up and did exactly what they always did. 

They got dressed, ate some food, went to the market. Others were at their wedding ceremony, celebrating. Then suddenly, their world ended. This is exactly what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was just another day, until it wasn’t. 

Those who hear are warned to be ready to go when the Lord comes, and they are warned against turning back for anything. 

Then, in the midst of His teaching, the Lord tells those listening to Him that they should “remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32. These three words spoken by the Savior invite us to examine our hearts, our choices, and our relationship with God. What can we remember about her? 

Remember Her Privileges

She had valuable relationships. To fully appreciate the significance of Jesus’ words, we need to revisit the story of Lot and his wife as recorded in Genesis 19. Lot was a man chosen by God to be saved from the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to the rampant wickedness of those cities. He had the privilege of being a part of God’s redemptive plan, meaning that Lot’s wife also had this privilege. She was exposed to divine revelation. 

She lived with Lot, who was visited by angels sent from God with a clear message of warning. She was part of a family chosen for deliverance, witnessing firsthand the miraculous intervention of God. This is a privilege many long for—to experience the direct guidance and presence of God in their lives. The problem is that privilege without action leads to complacency.

Lot’s wife had the incredible opportunity to flee the city of Sodom, to escape its destruction. She had the chance to step into a new life and avoid the burning sulfur in her future. Not many receive such a clear opportunity for redemption. Yet, the very opportunity given to her was met with hesitation. Lot’s wife was part of a family that was chosen for salvation. She had the privilege of being surrounded by those who were meant to protect her spiritually. 

Lot, as her husband, was a righteous man who had made the choice to follow God. However at times his faith was a little cloudy, Peter still calls Lot a righteous man. 

With privilege comes the responsibility of choice. Lot’s wife had the opportunity to escape and start anew, but her heart was still tied to the life she was leaving behind. Her choice to look back was a rejection of the new life God was offering her. How easy it is to cling to the past, even when we know it is harmful.

God has blessed us with so many privileges in Christ like salvation, grace, prayer, and forgiveness. But how quickly we often throw it all away. Lot’s wife is a reminder that regardless of what privileges you may have, you can still choose to look away and let sin take control. It also doesn’t matter who is in your life, you will have to answer for your own choices. Lot’s uncle was Abraham, and that meant nothing to his wife. She was warned about the future. But she didn’t seem to believe the word of God. We have also been warned, and God gives us the choice to turn to His Son, or turn back to a life of sin. 

Left And Right

Gary Pollard

In Matthew 23 Jesus directed some wrath at religious leaders. Verses 3-4 set the tone for what follows — they were hypocrites. He said, “So you should obey them. Do everything they tell you to do. But their lives are not good examples for you to follow. They tell you to do things, but they don’t do those things themselves. They make strict rules that are hard for people to obey. They try to force others to obey all their rules. But they themselves will not try to follow any of those rules.” 

Then, “It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees because…” 

  1. You are hypocrites. You travel the world to convert someone and make those converts worse than you are. 
  2. You guide the people, but you are blind. 
  3. You take great pains to follow the smallest commands, but you neglect the most important aspects of the law. 
  4. You put on a good show of holiness, but your hearts are filthy. 
  5. You condemn your ancestors for killing the prophets, but you’re going to kill The Prophet anyways. 
  6. You will not escape God, you will all be judged guilty and be sent to hell. You will be guilty for the death of all good people who have been killed on earth, even for the deaths of Abel and Zechariah. 

With this as a backdrop — and after condemning all of Jerusalem for their evil — Jesus warns his disciples about the future destruction of Jerusalem. This would happen in less than four decades. He throws in some stuff about Earth’s destruction, too. He ends it with examples of good servants, bad servants, and being ready for his final return. This continues through chapter 25, which ends with a climactic display of justice before the entire planet faces eternal life or death. 

So Jesus sets up an archetype — those who claim to follow him, but who push people away from him through their hypocritical, legalistic behavior. How do we know this? 

When he separates everyone into two groups (sheep on the right, goats on the left), the godly are apparently surprised at their fate. “When did we do anything in your name?” They had fulfilled the Royal Law, which meant they lived in his name. 

But the people on the left will be equally shocked! From earlier in Matthew (chapter seven), “Didn’t we prophesy in your name?” “Didn’t we cast out demons in your name?” “Didn’t we perform miracles in your name?” Matthew 7 is about wolves in sheep’s clothing, trees that produce inedible fruit, and people who don’t do what God wants. Right after this section, Jesus goes on a healing tour around the region and sends his followers on missions of the same. He practiced the Royal Law perfectly. 

So what’s the point? As the rest of the NT teaches, we cannot expect to see God if we don’t take care of our fellow man. We cannot expect to see God if we tithe herbs while neglecting the most important aspects of the law (in context, providing for people who need food and other forms of care). 

The scribes and Pharisees are the archetype of those on the left who will be shocked that God rejects them. We often apply this to people in denominations who will be shocked that God rejects them because of how they worshipped or what they taught. This is an egregious mishandling of the text. Jesus applied this explicitly to those who claimed to act in his name while their legalistic behavior and lack of charity repelled others from seeking him. 

“Come Unto Me”

Carl Pollard

The Pharisees placed an unbearable amount of teachings on the people. They forced traditions and self-made commands on every person to the point that they became weary. They did this to gain power, to appear holy, and to validate their egos. Jesus dealt with the Pharisees on numerous occasions, but the condition of their hearts was too far gone. They refused to let go of the teachings they had forced on the people. 

In Matthew 11, Jesus warns the cities where He performed many miracles but the people refused to believe and change. He mentions several cities by name who refused to obey the Son of God. Turns out, these cities were heavily influenced by the Pharisees. Jesus ends this section by saying, “it will be worse for these people on the day of judgment than for Sodom.”However, after this harsh teaching, Jesus offers an invitation. He uses three significant words to call us to Him. He invites us to “come, take, and learn.” 

Considered by many to be the greatest invitation ever offered, these words have the power to change your life. The false teachings of the Pharisees had called the people to embrace their rules and regulations. They were no longer rejoicing in their faith. They were forced, instead of seeking after God. Following God had become more of an obligation than an adoration, lacking a genuine hunger and thirst for God. They showed up at the synagogue because it was just a habit. Worship was not something that they longed to do; it was something they HAD to do in order to acquire God’s blessing.

At this point in Matthew 11, Jesus is addressing people who have lost their longing for God. To a group of weary men and women, Jesus says, “Come to me, take my yoke, and I will give you rest.” 

“Come To Me” (28)

You ever had someone over and they just wouldn’t leave? What do you do? Do you drop hints? Do you just hope that they decide to leave soon? Do you perform the classic stretch, yawn, and look at the watch?

This can be a tricky situation, especially if the people that are there are the ones that would stay all night if you let them. There are actually many cultures where guests will not leave until you tell them to. I read about a missionary group that traveled to the island of Yap in Micronesia. They invited some locals over for supper at the home they were staying in. After several hours the conversation died down, and things got a little awkward. The missionaries kept wondering when these people would leave. 

At this point they were just sitting in silence looking around. Finally, a local missionary came over and told the others, “Here in Yap, guests will not leave until you tell them to.” So that’s exactly what they did, they told their guests “it’s time for you to leave” (after which everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief).

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus does the exact opposite. Rather than telling us to leave, He implores us to COME. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Look at who Jesus invites to come to Him: the labored and the heavy laden. Both of these words in context are a description of what happens when you try to work your way to salvation. The Pharisees forced traditions and commands on the people so that they would be saved. This mindset and lifestyle is a burden. In case we have forgotten, Galatians 2:16 says, “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” 

If you are trying on your own deeds instead of trusting in Jesus, that will make you weary. 

This mentality the Pharisees forced on the people is still seen today. It is wearying, but it is also a heavy burden. The word used here is, “phortizo” means to “load up something on an animal or to load cargo onto a ship.” The Pharisees had laid many burdens on the people and their religion did not give rest and peace. No human religion can give peace to the heart. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus says this about the Pharisees, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.”

Weariness like this comes from trying to earn salvation on your own. Salvation comes through Christ, which is why He implores the weary and heavy laden to come to Him!

Who Is Our Neighbor?

Caden Hammer

This past weekend, a group of us college students traveled to Sneedville, Tennessee, to do service work. Lauren Ritter and her home congregation have a long-standing relationship with the community of Sneedville and have done a lot of outreach over the years. At the young adult’s retreat, Lauren suggested a group of us could go do a project there. Sneedville is a poor community in Appalachia with low access to running water, employment, and education opportunities. Along with delivering groceries to local families, we took on a large project of building a wooden platform and placing a 500-gallon water tank on it to give a family access to water. I am very grateful to have been involved in the project, and have reflected on the experience a lot over the last several days. 

If you would go ahead and turn your Bibles to Mark chapter 12, verse 28. In the verses before this, Jesus has been questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducees who were trying to trip him up and get him to make a mistake in his answers. In verse 28 they ask him another question. Starting in verse 28 it says, “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, Which commandment is the most important of all? Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

The first thing we have to figure out in these verses is, Who is our neighbor and how do we love them as ourselves? Well, Jesus gives us the answer in Luke 10. Jesus is talking to a lawyer who wants to know how to be saved. The lawyer already knows that he is supposed to love his neighbor as himself, but like a lot of us he isn’t sure who his neighbor is or how to love them that way. The lawyer asks in Luke 10 verse 29, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus then responds by telling the parable of the good Samaritan, which most have us have heard plenty of times. While we have all heard this parable and know what it says, I’m not sure we really understand the significance of it. The person who helped the man was supposed to be an enemy of him. They were supposed to hate each other. They were completely different, yet the Samaritan was the one who chose to help. Jesus then asked the lawyer at the end of the parable, “Who was the neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” and the man understood that it was the Samaritan. The lawyer Jesus was talking to understood what exactly that parable meant and what he was supposed to do. But do we? Do we understand that our neighbor isn’t just our friends or people we go to church with, or people that look like us, or act like us, or people we think are cool? While those people are also our neighbors, the people Jesus focuses on are the people that are the most different from us. Just look at the people that Jesus talked to the most. The sinful woman in Luke chapter 7. He ate with tax collectors in Mark chapter 2. He touched the bleeding woman in Mark chapter 5. He drank water from the woman at the well in John chapter 4. These people were either completely different than him or hated by everyone else in the community. Yet these are the people that Jesus chose to be with. We tend to look down on people that are different than us, but Jesus says that loving them as ourselves is the second greatest command only behind loving God.  When we learn to love like Jesus it opens our eyes to see people for who and what they really are: a soul that is precious to God. The good Samaritan helped the man not knowing anything about him, his past, his work history, his family situation, or if he would be receptive to the Gospel.  If we learn to love people like this, it will change us. 

While this past weekend was focused on providing for physical needs, we should never forget the greatest need of all is spiritual. Loving people with no strings attached and forming relationships eventually allows people to be receptive to what good news you have to offer.  When they see you love them as you love yourself, they know you want what is best for them. Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world preaching the gospel. There are people all over the world and in our communities who have never had someone show love to them the way Jesus loves and to point them to Him. This weekend really opened my eyes to this.  While these people look and live much differently than I do, their needs are no different than mine, and they are no less loved by God.  Learning how to step outside our comfort zones and love and serve people will provide opportunities to share the gospel.  

The finished product: installed water tank for the family in need

Whose Son Is The Christ?

Andy Wright

The last week of Jesus’ life on earth was an eventful one. He arrived in Jerusalem to thronging crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” And, His enemies peppered Him with questions. They questioned His authority. They asked Him a Catch-22 question, which was admittedly impressive since it would be almost 2000 years before Catch-22 was written. They even asked Him a gotcha questioned designed to make the resurrection look ridiculous. But after He had answered all of their questions, He had one for them. Matthew’s account of this is in chapter 22, verses 41 and following:

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’

They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’”

Now, at this point, especially in my younger years, I could see myself nodding along in agreement with the Pharisees. Yes, the Christ is the Son of David. That’s in prophecy, isn’t it? Wasn’t important enough that Matthew opened his gospel account with a genealogy of Jesus going back to David and Abraham? Didn’t Luke also trace Jesus’ genealogy through David back to Adam? But this is what Jesus said:

“He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord,” saying: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’”? If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his Son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.”

Jesus pointed out something very important, which the Pharisees were missing: the Messiah was more than David’s son, He was David’s Lord. The Pharisees missed it because they were expecting an earthly kingdom, with an earthly king like David who would put Israel back on top, overthrow the Romans, and rule in Jerusalem. But God had in mind something much better; instead of freeing them from the Romans, the Christ would free them from their sins—a much more powerful and implacable enemy. In another place, Jesus talked about God giving good gifts and said, “If your son asks for bread, would you give him a stone?” An important cultural note about the way they baked bread in Jesus’ time is that they used clay ovens and heated stones, and the stones in the area were very round and smooth, resembling loaves of bread. It wouldn’t be much of stretch of the imagination to think it wouldn’t be uncommon for a small Jewish boy to point in the oven and say, “Father, I want that one,” but be pointing at a stone. And what kind of father is going to give his child that? No, he’ll give him bread instead even if it isn’t what he wanted because it’s better than what he wanted.

That’s the way God operates; He always gives us what’s better than what we want. He did it back then. When they wanted to be free of Rome, free of their taxes, free of their rules, God offered them freedom from sin, which is of infinitely greater value. It is a shame, though, that when offered bread, sometimes people still want the stone.

Pure Heart, Good Conscience, Sincere Faith

Gary Pollard

I Timothy 1.5 is the purpose of teaching and Christianity in general: love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a genuine faith. Love from a pure heart doesn’t do good for others hoping to get something in return. It’s a love that’s selfless because that’s the right thing to do. 

A good conscience doesn’t mean we feel extra guilty about bad things. In fact, emotion has little to do with συνειδήσεως (the word translated conscience). Conscience means an awareness of the difference between right and wrong. A good conscience means we act on our understanding of what is good. 

A genuine (or sincere) faith is one that’s above any kind of scrutiny. A sincere faith isn’t hypocritical. To some extent, anyone who has any kind of standard for themselves is a hypocrite. We’re never going to live up to God’s standards of morality, but that doesn’t mean that hypocrisy defines us. The Pharisees were extremely legalistic, but had depraved lifestyles. That’s a hypocrite. A genuine faith is one that at least tries to meet the standard. 

1.7 calls out the problem directly: there were members who were eager to teach but had no business doing so. This is, unfortunately, one of issues facing the church today. Many take the approach of emphasizing regulations and rules and prohibitions, which is what these bad influences were doing. The goal of our teaching is to cultivate love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. But this is not done by teaching just the thou-shalt-nots of Christianity, which we’ll see next week when we study verse nine. 

Unleavened Religion

Friday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

The misunderstanding of the disciples recorded in Matthew 16.5–12 and Mark 8.13-21 has always amused me. Jesus warned them about the leavening of the Pharisees and Sadducees as they sailed away from Magadan, where He had just encountered some annoying members of those religious sects. According to Matthew and Mark, the disciples assumed Jesus was disappointed that they had forgotten to bring bread. Instead, Jesus reminded them that He had recently fed a total of 5,000 and 4,000 men with only a few loaves and fish. In Matthew’s account, the disciples finally realized Jesus was referring to their teaching when he repeated that they should avoid the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Luke tells us that Jesus had also given a similar warning to the people (Cf. Luke 12.1-2).

Pharisees and Sadducees crop up in every era, and it is vital to identify the error we should avoid. Thus, let us think about the fallacies against which Jesus cautions. We begin with the issues that characterized the Pharisees. The original Pharisees, whose name comes from the Hebrew word for “to separate,” were strict observers of the elders’ traditions. The Pharisees separated themselves by refusing to assimilate into Greek culture. Though laudable, the Pharisees eventually revered their traditions as sacred as the Law of God, which Moses received on Mount Sinai. 

We can find similar practices today in creeds, catechisms, disciplines, and papal decrees. These traditions, however, need to be more trustworthy. Stories can be altered, manipulated, and distorted to the point where the original narrator would not recognize them. The only way to avoid this is to keep the divine inspiration flowing throughout the distribution process. God only put such safeguards in place for His Word. Traditions can also be harmful to God’s Law. The ancient Pharisee, for example, interpreted the Law according to his rules, rendering it null and void. And so, the Pharisees would do things like pay tithes on items in their herb garden while neglecting the weightier matters of the Law (Matthew 23.23; Luke 11.42). Jesus called them experts at setting aside God’s commands to keep their traditions (Mark 7.9).

And what of the Sadducees? The Sadduccees’ origins are up for debate. The Sadducees claimed descendancy from a priest named Zadok, who anointed Solomon as king (cf. 1 Kings 1.39). On the other hand, the Sadducees were most likely the followers of a man named Zadok, who had been a pupil of the Pharisee Antigonus of Sokho. Zadok misinterpreted what Antigonus of Sokho said to mean there was no afterlife. (According to Antigonus of Sokho, one should obey God out of love and reverence rather than expectation of reward.) The spreading of Zadok’s beliefs to others formed the Sadduceean sect. The Sadducees were similar to the Epicureans, except that the former believed God created the world and governed it through his providence. 

The Sadducees were wealthy and boasted of superior intelligence. Herod was a Sadducee who led the Galilean Sadducees. As a result, the group is also referred to in the Gospels as Herodians (Mark 3.6). The leavening agent introduced by this sect is probably called pseudo-intellectualism. Sadduceeism exists not only in the past; we can also find it today under different names such as atheism, deism, agnosticism, positivism, rationalism, and Erastianism. We typically observe these beliefs in opposition to modern Phariseeism.

But what do the Pharisees and Sadducees have in common? To put it briefly: hypocrisy, lack of knowledge of God’s Word, and hostility toward Jesus. Jesus more effectively exposed their hypocrisy than I could, so I will let His condemnations stand in my stead. So, let us first observe how both groups failed to understand how the prophecies of God fit into the divine plan. They were not spiritually enlightened enough to see the signs that God was giving through Christ. As a result, they did not benefit from Jesus’ teachings in the here and now or the hereafter. (This is especially true of Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 24 about the Romans destroying Jerusalem. Cf. Matthew 24.15, 28.) If the Pharisees had been less concerned with tradition and the Sadducees with looking smart, they could have saved themselves by actually listening to Jesus’ words. But today’s society is just as blind to God’s Word and, therefore, blind to vital information.

Second, there was another thing upon which Pharisees and Sadducees could agree. They both opposed Jesus and could put aside their differences to crucify Him. The proverb, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” has been around for a long time; scholars traced the earliest known use of the phrase back to a 4th century BC Indian Sanskrit. And unfortunately, even those who advocate opposing errors frequently join forces to fight God’s truth today. The Pharisees act piously while ignoring God’s goodness, and the Sadducees claim scholarship while opposing God’s truth.

When we consider the errors Jesus found in the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, we can appreciate the importance of His warning. The Bible emphasizes the pervasiveness of leaven. Any substance you add it to will be altered. For example, accepting sinful behavior in Corinth introduced a type of leaven (1 Corinthians 5.6). A Christian had married his father’s wife! Even the heathen, according to Paul, would not do such a thing. As a result, Christians must discipline the sinner to correct this error. And, according to Galatians 5.9, a little false teaching, like yeast, can leaven the church. In this context, Paul refers to the Judaisers’ negative influence on the Galatian saints. Paul expressed his surprise that a false gospel could easily persuade them in Galatians 1.6-7. In Galatians 3.1, Paul even says it is as if the Judaisers bewitched them.

The leaven of Phariseeism and Sadduceeism can cause us to be hypocritical, remove the boundaries of belief, and lead us to false doctrines. Their teachings can demoralize us and make us feel hopeless if we don’t have faith. We must also be aware that false teaching can discourage our temperament and behavior, even leading to blasphemy. If you recall the context upon which I based this article, Jesus separated Himself from the Pharisees and Sadducees by crossing the sea, which may be a good symbol of the great chasm between the righteous and the wicked. We must also distance ourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees today. Let us be more like good King Josiah of whom God said walked righteously without departing to the right or left (2 Kings 22.2).

Brent Pollard

Do You Know Him Or Know Of Him?

Tuesday Column: Dale Mail

blond man with goatee smiling at camera with blazer on
Dale Pollard


God speaks of Himself as simply “I Am.” This is one powerful statement depicts His infinite presence and His existence through every age. What does it mean to know Him? How do you know if you do? To know of Jesus is very different than knowing Him.

John is one of those books in the New Testament that will help us to become better aquainted with the Christ. John paints us a vivid picture of who He was and is on a deeper level than even the three previous books.

He’s the Bread of life, Light of the world, the Gate, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, the Truth, and the Vine. All of these titles found within the book teach us a little more about the Savior of the world. There are seven “I Am” statements in John referring to Jesus and three hundred throughout the entire Bible. They begin in Genesis and end in Revelation, and in many books in-between. You just can’t read very far without discovering something very profound about it’s Writer.

He’s eternal. God’s desired response to this is simply for us to believe, respond, and live with our minds and hearts prepared to live with Him. When Jesus describes Himself as the “I Am” it makes the religious leaders want to kill Him in John 8. To know Jesus, to really know Him, is something that many people have not fully understood. Even as Jesus walked among us mortals and witnessed His miraculous power there were still several that didn’t realize what it meant to follow Him Luke 9:57-62.

While it’s true that everyone is made in the image of God, few reflect the Father’s image. Those that know Jesus introduce others to Him. With the knowledge that we are imperfect, let’s not forget that we also have the ability to have a relationship with Him. I am flawed and I am weak, but the Great I Am is interested in who I am.

By the grace of God, I am His child. He is the bread of life that sustains us, the light that guides us, the gate we’ll walk through, and the truth that will save us. It’s not how great I am, but how great the Great I Am is. Do you know Jesus?

THREE QUALITIES OF A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

preachingatPBL

Neal Pollard

Two parables and an incident in Luke 18:1-17 reveal three attributes Jesus is looking for in His disciples. As you read through these verses, ask yourself if you struggle with one or more of these. The examples Jesus holds up are all lowly characters–a defenseless widow, a sinful tax collector, and babies and little children. They were all either financially, spiritually, or physically dependent on others, yet these are the ones Jesus tells us to imitate. What are the qualities?

PERSISTENCE (1-8). The parable of the widow and the unjust judge is delivered to his listeners for a specific reason, “that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (1). A widow pleaded for legal protection from a judge who neither feared God or respected men (2). She wouldn’t stop coming to him and pleading her case until finally he relented and granted her request out of frustration and annoyance at her continual coming (3-5). Jesus’ point is that the perfect God will bring justice to His elect who faithfully pray to Him (7). He ties this persistence to faith (8). Jesus is giving us insight into God’s heart and desires. He wants to hear from us in prayer, and He is influenced by our prayers. Do we have faith in that? 

HUMILITY (9-14). Jesus launches into a second parable about prayer, to highlight another necessity in the practice of it. He focuses on an unlikely duo, a prominent religious leader and a contemptible tax collector. Both enter the temple, both for the purpose of prayer. Both prayers are recorded. Jesus evaluates them. The first prayer, uttered by the Pharisee, is self-directed (he prayed to himself), self-righteous (God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector), and self-promoting (I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get). He shows no recognition of or need for God. He’s pretty self-satisfied. The second prayer, uttered by the tax collector, is selfless, self-indicting, and self-emptying. Jesus notes his hesitance (standing some distance away), abjection (even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven), emotion (beating his breast), and honesty (his entire prayer is, “God be merciful to me, the sinner”). Jesus’ analysis? The second man was the one who went home justified, not the first. Jesus’ point is explicit: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (14). I may know more sophisticated ways to exhibit my pride and self-righteousness, but the response and result will be the same in heaven. Faithful followers humbly recognize their need of God’s favor. 

RECEPTIVITY (15-17). Parents were bringing their children to Jesus at this time so that He could touch them. We aren’t told why the disciples rebuke them for this, though it could be they were wrestled with pride of position or self-importance. Jesus corrects their course, telling them to let the children come to Him. In fact, He says, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all” (17). He tells them that the kingdom of God belongs to those like these little children. How so? They were dependent on others (15). They were apparently willing (16). They were open (17). Certainly, this is a great exhortation to us as parents, to bring our children to Jesus in the impressionable years of life. But beyond that, there is an admonition to each of us to keep child-like faith and recognize our need to come to Jesus in order to have a place in God’s kingdom.

Often, we think that being in the kingdom is about us daring and doing great things for God. But, doesn’t it begin with our having the lowliness of heart to come to Him, persistent, humble, and receptive? These three qualities put the focus on His attractiveness, ability, and power. If we allow ourselves to be tools in His hand and recognize that it’s about Him and because of Him, then we’ll be faithful followers. 

CHURCH INVADERS

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

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Neal Pollard

During a prayer recently, a brother thanked God that our congregation had not been “invaded.” I thought it was an interesting, thoughtful way to thank God for His protection from physical harm, but it also took my mind in another direction. More often than we’ve faced armed intruders, the Lord’s church has had its share of others who have snuck or pushed their way in and to detrimental results.

Churches Have Been Invaded By Wolves. They are described in stark terms, being “ravenous” (Mat. 7:15) and “savage” (Acts 20:29). They do as Ezekiel described, “tearing the prey” (33:27). The Bible is describing false teachers who speak perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. What’s so alarming is that these are “from among your own selves” (Acts 20:30). These are individuals whose teaching is false by the Bible’s standards, and the fruit of whose teaching causes people to be severed in their relationship to God. Jude describes them as those who can creep in unnoticed, “ungodly persons who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). God’s remedies to stop such church invaders are godly, qualified shepherds (Acts 20:28-30; cf. John 10:12) and active, thoughtful Bible students who effectively discern spiritual fruit (Jude 3; Mat. 7:15-20). 

Churches Have Been Invaded By Leaven. Paul addresses an issue “within the church” at Corinth (1 Cor. 5:12), which he illustrates by referring to “a little leaven” that “leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6). The leavening influence here was unchecked sexual immorality that the church came to accept rather than address. Paul urges Corinth to take action regarding immoralities like those he lists in verses 9 through 11. When a church normalizes and embraces what Scripture condemns, it has been invaded and taken over from God’s will. Churches who adapt views which accommodate the moral decline of their members rather than challenge their members to rise up to The Standard have been invaded. 

Churches Have Been Invaded By Legalists. Jesus targeted the Pharisees more often than any other single group in the gospels. He is most plain in Matthew 23, noting that “the scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses” (2). While in context Jesus is dealing with matters under the Old Law, what He observes continues to today. How many have put themselves in the seat that rightfully belongs only to God? They exact rules that are too hard for anyone, even themselves, to follow (4), that are borne of improper motives (5-12), that are harder than God’s rules (13), that make disciples of themselves rather than Jesus (15), that major in the minors (23-25), and that create superficial righteousness and inward rottenness (27-28). Such churches are afflicted with those who appear alive, but are spiritually dead. 

Surely we want “to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:15-16). There’s only one Lord for the one body (Eph. 4:5). He is head over all things to the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). That is the basis and marching orders for us to prevent any and all “church invaders.” May we keep vigilant to protect the purity of His church (cf. Eph. 6:10-17)! 

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One Of The Hardest Biblical Positions To State

Neal Pollard

There are few statements or pronouncements that are clearer than Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:9, yet perhaps none, in our current culture, is more intimidating to state. Jesus contrasts His will on marriage, divorce, and remarriage with the already existent stance of the Law of Moses. He says, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (19:8-9).  From this brief response (the Pharisees ask the question, testing Him in verse three), we see:

  • The teaching transcends time and culture—“From the beginning…and I say to you”
  • The teaching transcends all other authority—“I say”
  • The teaching transcends only believers—“Whoever”
  • The teaching transcends the caveats and conditions men have tried to place on the matter of marriage, divorce, and remarriage (not the specific law with its exception).

Yet, despite the clarity of Jesus on the subject, in the spirit of Christ we want to always approach this with utmost compassion, patience, and tenderness. Souls are at stake. Often, children are involved. Emotions are inevitably involved. A cold, callous treatment of people’s lives will surely draw Divine disapproval. That’s why Jesus’ stated position on this matter is one of the hardest to take. But, that cannot mean that we refuse to stand with Him in His teaching. However, we should ask why it is so hard to stand where the Bible stands on this matter?

—Learned men have stated different positions from this.
—Divorce is so prevalent in our culture.
—All of us have family members who are in marriages that violate Matthew 19:9.
—Marriage involves one of mankind’s greatest drives and needs (cf. Gen. 2:18-25).
—Leadership in more and more congregations refuse to deal with marriage, divorce, and     remarriage in the classroom, pulpit, or the hands-on shepherding of the local church.
—Few of us relish the role of being “the bad guy” (the one who has to break heartbreaking news to husbands and wives).

I could lengthen the list of reasons, and you could add several to it, but if the list grew to hundreds of reasons, we have one sobering, gut-wrenching question to ask, “Do any of them nullify the strength of Jesus’ teaching?” If Matthew 19:9 were not in the Bible, fewer preachers would have lost jobs, fewer elders would have lost favor, and fewer churches would have seen members go to congregations accommodating their marriages. But, Jesus warned that His way was difficult (cf. Matt. 7:14). He tells aghast disciples that discipleship requires whatever sacrifice is necessary to follow Him (Matt. 19:10-12). That message must be shared lovingly, gently, and patiently. There can be no other way (cf. Eph. 4:15). The harsh, unkind, or mean-spirited will deal with the Judge of all (cf. 1 Pet. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:1). However, what will be the case for those who neglect, change, or distort what Scripture says to accommodate people? Perhaps there’s no way to ask that question without evoking a visceral reaction from those who have reinterpreted Jesus’ words, but in light of eternity it must be asked. Balance looks for biblical truth in between unbiblical extremes. However unpleasant a position that may put us in, that is the place we must always humbly stand. But, the only enduring place to stand is on the rock solid foundation of Christ (cf. Mat. 7:24-27; 1 Co. 3:11). God give us loving, but courageous, hearts to stand there.

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THE PATTERN FOR MARRIAGE

Neal Pollard

Matthew 19:1-12 records an incident where, because the Pharisees are trying to test Jesus (vs. 3), He has occasion to reveal His will about marriage.  As we analyze this text, we find several notable facts about marriage. These verses show us the mind and will of God on an institution that is increasingly under assault. Consider four facts about this great passage of Scripture.

This is from the Christ. One of the more common arguments made even by supposed biblical scholars is that Jesus never condemns homosexuality. But what does He do? He defines marriage (4-5). The law of exclusion says that what God doesn’t authorize in His Word is forbidden in doctrine and practice. The Lord has authorized marriage as an institution between man and woman. He did not have to say, “…but not between a man and two or more women” and “not between a man and an animal” and “not between two people of the same gender.” He makes clear what He sees marriage as being.

This is from the creation. Other passages tell us Christ is actually the Creator (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2). So not only does He, as Deity, designate what marriage is—He designed it in the first place. Jesus reaches behind changes made to God’s marriage law under the Law of Moses and cites how God designed it “from the beginning” (4). Anything that does not conform to His pattern in this text runs counter to God’s original intent. You may not that this excludes more than same-sex marriage. It excludes adulterous marriage (vs. 9) as well as sex outside of marriage (this is implied here: “joined to his wife,” not “girlfriend”; of course, “fornication” or “sexual immorality” is dealt with explicitly in many other New Testament passages). Jesus goes back to the creation to state the pattern for marriage as being one man and one woman for life.

This is a command. It is not a command that you have to be married, but if you do get married you must conform to Christ’s will concerning it. We see this in the force of Jesus’ “but I say unto you.” He is exerting His right of authority, even showing His law trumps the Law of Moses. A person who is looking to be married must make sure their relationship conforms to His command.

This is controversial.  It is not just the homosexual community who balk at Jesus’ words here. I have close family members (and so do you, probably) whose marriages are at odds with what Jesus commands in this context. Jesus Himself forewarns that this is a difficult and narrow teaching (10), a rejected teaching (11), and a teaching that calls for extreme sacrifice (12). I dare say there is as much blowback from the heterosexual community as the homosexual community where this passage is clearly taught. In either case, it comes down to whether we will follow the command of the Christ, the Creator. Our submission or rebellion cannot change the immutable (i.e., unchangeable) nature of Divine truth.

Marriage is a beautiful gift given by a loving God. Though society may corrupt it and seek to redefine it, but the will of God stands forever. May we have the courage, humility, and strength to take Him at His word and conform our lives to it—on this and every subject.

Why Don’t YOU “Stop The Violence”?

Neal Pollard

To borrow the words of our own Mike Bennett, “Excuse me?”  An AP story published this morning is so thick with irony it is palpable!  Two people were arrested and put in jail on Tuesday in Washington, Pennsylvania.  They were two community organizers “with a local Stop the Violence group” and they “severely beat a former roommate with whom they had a property dispute” (via FoxNews.com).  They “allegedly jumped the man as he was walking down the street on Tuesday. Police say the defendants kicked the victim as he was unconscious…” causing injuries too gruesome for me to describe here.  The female defendant “was still wearing the same ‘Stop the Violence’ T-shirt that she had on the night before when she led a march in the city protesting two recent shootings” (ibid.).  “The victim remains in critical condition” (ibid.).

Could there be a clearer example of hypocrisy from the world?  We have seen or heard of the environmentalist driving the gas-guzzling SUV and the televangelist having an adulterous affair, but the peace protestor beating up somebody?  That’s very unattractive!

It is also a reminder to us as Christians about practicing “true religion…unstained by the world” (Jas. 1:27).  Not only are we ineffective, we are counterproductive when we claim to wear the name of Christ and then defame it by our words and deeds.  What about mouths praising God in worship on Sunday profaning man at work on Monday?  What about hands shaking hands or embracing fellow Christians one day then typing in ungodly websites or texting someone not our spouse in sexually suggestive ways the next?  What about words of kindness to each other when we meet followed up by slandering speech about each other or those in the world when we are away from the assemblies?

The Bible warns against hypocrisy, saying “beware of it” (Luke 12:1), “let love be without it” (Rom. 12:9), “don’t be carried away by it” (Gal. 2:13), “eliminate it” (Jas. 3:17), and “put it aside” (1 Pet. 2:1).  It’s easy to see why.  Few things are more repelling and disgusting than to witness hypocrisy.  Let us consider that as we conduct our own lives before the watchful eyes of the world!