The Cauldron of the Pharisees

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. Luke 18:11

In my teenage years I was desperate to join something and be accepted. I joined a church and was handed a rule book. I joined a fraternity at college and studied a rule book. I enlisted in the Marines, and wouldn't you know it, they too had some rules about how the ideal Marine behaved. Most groups have their rules for proper behavior. Not all rules are bad, but living under a system of rules hoping to save yourself is idolatry. The rules or the organization become the savior, or worse, a man or woman who speaks well becomes the idol who promises salvation by religion. Systems of rules can lead to all sorts of mayhem. So great was the Pharisee's faith in their rules they refused to recognize Messiah as He stood before them.

It is interesting that one of our first revelations from God's dear Holy Spirit is that we are indeed just like other men in our lusts of the flesh. Temptations have not changed since way back in Adam's time. Unlike Mr. Pharisee, we realize quite early after our rebirth in the Spirit that we have this baggage common to all men. Rules point it out to us in no uncertain terms, including the penalty for our lusts, but the rules do not solve the problem. All of us deserve the death penalty for thoughts and actions contrary to the Law of Moses, and yet we have this savior. A Savior the watchdogs of the Law quite failed to see though they thought they were keeping the Law.

As we approach Halloween, it brought to my pudgy little mind the danger of that bubbling cauldron of rules the Pharisees tended with such care. We want to watch out lest we fail to heed our Lord's warning about the leaven of the Pharisees. Flaying someone with a bunch of rules will not save them. Giving testimony of our wonderful Lord and Savior and how He saved us is the way of love.

May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus grab you in a big bear hug today!

Bucky