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Over the years I have written several "book" or "booklets" and many, many, many newsletter and bulletin articles. Because the book market seeks writings to meet specific needs at specific times, my material has never been accepted. I have a tendency to write what is on my mind and so I am left with self publishing. So, with the encouragement from my wife and others, I am beginning this blog in order to put my "ramblings" "out there"! I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer

Please note that while my intentions are to use good grammar, because of the way in which some of the material presented here is presented (orally) the grammar and syntax might not always be the best English. Also note that good theology is not always presented in the best English so there may be times when the proper grammar rules are purposely broken.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The New Pharisees

In His sermon on the Mountain Jesus continually exposed the Pharisees and their thinking that they could save themselves through there obedience to the Law. The Pharisees truly believed they could be the people God wanted them to be, even the Champions God wanted them to be. The reason they believed that they could be good people is because they confused and commingled Law and Gospel and because they failed to understand the purpose of the Ten Commandments. The Pharisees attempted to narrow the definition of the commandments so they thought they would be able to keep them. An example is in their thinking that just because they never actually murdered anyone, they believed they had kept the Fifth Commandment (You shall not murder). Jesus instructs them in the sermon on the Mountain that rather than narrow the definition of the commandments, He has broadened the definition. So, Jesus looks at the commandment forbidding murder and says that we may break this commandment by hurting and harming someone, by speaking hateful and hurtful words, and even by simply hating them in our hearts. Today we would say this reminds us that not only do we sin in what we do, what we call sins of commission (committing sin), but we can sin sins of omission (omitting to do something), and we can sin in word as well as in our very thoughts.

The reason Jesus broadens the definition of the commandments is to show us how sinful we truly are. It is only as we see our need for a Savior that we will repent and turn to Him. Jesus does not broaden His definition so that we simply have to work harder to justify ourselves; that is not the point. The commandments were not written so that we might justify ourselves, but again, so that we might see our sin, how great is our sin, and our need for a Savior.

In our world today we see the new Pharisee especially in the person of Tim LaHaye whose new church doctrine teaches that as one grows in their Christian faith they become more and more like God and even become mentors for others to help them become more like God. And we see the new Pharisee in persons like Joel Osteen who teach that we can be the people God wants us to be. How are either of these ideas any different from what the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were teaching and espousing? There are many in our world today who would suggest that one does not sin in one’s thoughts, but if that is so, then what does Jesus mean when He says if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out (Matt. 5:29). How can an eye sin except that it is connected to the brain which thinks lustful thoughts. If we can be the people God wants us to be, if we can be like God, then why would we need a Savior?

John helps us get it right. “8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). Jesus helps us get it right. If we want to get to heaven by ourselves, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). That is why He gives us the commandments, so we can see and confess our sins. Remember, as Jesus told the Simon the Pharisee concerning the sinful woman, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47 ).

So, what will happen when someone who thinks they are good and can be the people God wants them to be hears the word of the Lord that s/he is a sinner and needs forgiveness. Unfortunately, they will not want to hear such words and will refuse and reject the gifts God has to give, forgiveness, faith and life.

Thanks be to God for Jesus, for His broadening the definition of breaking the commandments for removing from us any justification for ourselves, and most importantly for His forgiveness. As Lutheran Christians, we understand that as we grow in our faith we come to understand more and more just how sinful we truly are, how and what great sinners we are so that we know our need to cling only to Jesus and His work, His life, death and resurrection for us in our place because of His great love for us. And we are given exactly what His Word tells us we are given, forgiveness, faith, life and salvation.

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