Synopsis: This message reminds the Believer to not become separated from the simplicity which is in Christ, especially in times of witnessing to others. Becoming educated in the Word of God should make us more like Jesus in demonstrating our compassion and care for the lost and hurting of this world. Jesus made it easy for others to go to heaven and we should not become critical, judgmental or condemning agents of our own doctrines but rather represent the love of Christ.
Gtcotr/ss080507
Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Over the years, most likely because of the felt need to educate and separate themselves, they became known as separatist and were called by the Hebrew name: Perashin which comes from the root Hebrew root word Parash – to separate.
Through the decades their hard line views kept them separated from the common population and eventually they adopted a feeling of religious and spiritual superiority. They lived very pious lives and generally taught that it was impossible to live a life pleasing to God without being just like them. They were very critical of other people’s approach to God and quite judgmental and legalistic in their approach to serving God. This further separated them from others.
About the time Jesus began to minister in the Galilee and Jerusalem, the numbers of this group had grown to about 6000 men, according to Josephus’ historical writings, and they were very entrenched into the Jewish culture, holding high positions in the religious leadership of that day, well educated and powerful.
Even though they believed in the coming Messiah and knew that the scepter had departed from Judah and that the weeks of Daniel’s prophecy were about to expire, this particular group of scholars were bitter enemies of Jesus and continually opposed Him throughout the Gospel accounts for His forgiving, merciful, loving and inclusive teachings.
The most learned scholars of the day were proud members of this group and they spent their entire lives studying and learning the Law of God. However, this only served to further separate them from others.
The word Parash, to separate, translates from Hebrew to Greek as the word: Pharisaios, where we get the English word Pharissee.
Hebrew – Parash – to separate
Greek – Pharisaios – a separatist
English – Pharissee – exclusively religious
Pharissees believed in justification by works and that they had the market cornered on religion. Anyone who did not live strictly according to the laws of Moses were condemned as heretics and were often arrested, tried and beaten or crucified.
Not every person educated by or affiliated with this group felt the same level of self righteous pride and superiority. However, when Stephen was stoned, it was members of this group that instigated that murder and one named Saul of Tarsus, a Pharissee, who consented to Stephen’s death and even proudly held the coats of those who threw the stones.
No doubt Saul had his studied and learned reasons. No doubt he could quote all of the legal errors in Stephen’s arguments. No doubt Saul knew soooooo much more than Stephen ever imagined! After all, Saul had sat at the feet of Gamliel and the greatest bible scholars of his day. He knew these rag-tag, uneducated, rebel followers of Jesus could not defend their faith against his superior intellect and arguments.
Later Saul of Tarsus, the now converted Apostle Paul, the servant of the Jesus, would write:
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Basically the humbled Apostle was saying:
Like it or not, I am no longer devoted to the Law of Moses, nor do I claim to know it, I know nothing but Christ and I am devoted to Him and Him alone.
Jesus became a New Law! A New Testament.
Six times in the book of Matthew chapter 5 (Matthew 5:21-48) Jesus refuted the doctrine of Pharisees and scholars and their hard line, judgmental, critical, harsh, legalistic views of the Word of God.
Six times Jesus says, “You have heard it said … but I say …”
This is what God said to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration: In the midst of the Law and the Prophets as represented by Moses and Elijah, God said: “This is my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him!” Matthew 17:5
God has every right to explain Himself and clarify His Word and Will, and He did this in Christ Jesus, His Son. Jesus became a New Law, a New Testament.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 8 NKJV
1 ¶ But Jesus went to the
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.
5 "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."
12 ¶ Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
What is the question of the day?
The law says …, but what do you say Jesus?
Jesus is the light and He will always respond with no condemnation, criticism or rejection. He is not a separatist, not a judge but a Friend and a Savior.
Jesus makes it easy to go to heaven.
Like the Apostle Paul, I too am afraid …
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Please, please, please, don’t let your study and knowledge of the scriptures make you hard, harsh, judgmental, critical, condemning, or lead you to separate yourself from others with a self righteous pride.
And please don’t make it hard for others to go to heaven, not when Jesus made it so easy.
Make it simply Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That’s all it takes!
Perhaps you need Jesus now. He is waiting with His arms opened wide to welcome you, forgive you, love you and help you.
He is not angry, He is reaching out to you and He has made it easy to turn to Him.
Just let go and let God have His way in your life. Give it all to Jesus and let others know it’s easy to come to Him.
You have heard it said that it is hard, that you have to change or that you have to follow some pathway of religion, but Jesus said:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Romans 10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
