November 2011
Life Signs: Contemporary without Compromise
When we love those who are undeserving, it is an act of mercy. But loving God is an act
of worship.
MGBC Home Page
Not Fair-u-see
Jesus announces the horrible fate of hypocritical religious leaders (Matt. 23:1-36)! Jesus
deeply grieves over Jerusalem like He does for those who reject Him today (23:37-39).
Only God knows the day (24:36).
Of the three prominent religious societies of Judaism at the time of Christ — Pharisees,
Sadducees, and Essenes — the Pharisees were the most highly respected.
Jewish scribes were a class of well-educated men whose professional occupation was to
thoroughly study the Law and explain its meaning. The scribes were copiers of the Law
and other documents. They held undisputed sway as the recognized interpreters of the
Law and were the revered representatives of Judaism. For the most part, they were
members of the Pharisee party. Jesus said: All their works they do for to be seen of men
(Matt. 23:5).
Together, they pledged themselves to live in strict observance of the Mosaic Law and to
obey all facets of the ‘tradition of the elders’ (earlier interpretations of the Law) (15:2-3)
to the minutest detail; they were sticklers for ceremonial purity. They also were
haughty and arrogant toward any who opposed their views. Considering their legalistic
attitudes, it was inevitable that they would bitterly oppose Jesus for His refusal to be
bound by their man-made traditions (John 9:16,22) and for His claims of being the
Messiah.
Throughout Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees were His most determined opponents. He, in
turn, condemned them for their hypocrisy, their legalism, the hardness of their hearts,
their pride against others, and their covetousness. “He said to them, ‘You are the ones
who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people
value highly is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:15).’” It is eternally sad that people in
all generations reject the Savior for earthly power and prestige.
Five times in sequence Jesus portrayed the religious leaders as blind (Matt. 23:16-17,19-
24,26) to their hypocrisy. He further described them as being full of extortion and
excess (23:25) and as being like white burial chambers (white-washed tombs) (23:27) —
outwardly righteous, but inwardly despicable. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his
disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Woe to you,
blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone
who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ In the same way, on the
outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and
wickedness” (lawlessness) (Matt. 23:1-2,14,16,28).
Qualities in Character
Good character qualities are useful for anything you wish to go after in life. Parents
strive to bring their children up to have great qualities. The apostle Peter had his own
list of Christian qualities that are found in (2 Peter 1:5-7). “For this very reason, make
every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to
knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,
godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” This is
what he encouraged believers to add to their life of faith:
Virtue. Fulfilling God’s design for a life with moral excellence.
Knowledge. Studying God’s Word to gain wisdom to combat falsehood.
Self-control. Revering God so much that we choose godly behavior.
Perseverance. Having a hopeful attitude even in difficulties because we’re confident in
God’s character.
Godliness. Honoring the Lord in every relationship in life.
Brotherly kindness. Displaying warmhearted affection for fellow believers.
Love. Sacrificing for the good of others.
Let’s increase these traits in ever-increasing measure and incorporate them into every
part of our lives.
Just as the body grows in strength
With exercise each day,
Our spirit grows in godliness
By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan
Watch your thoughts..............................................................................they become words.
Watch your words................................................................................they become actions.
Watch your actions.................................................................................they become habits.
Watch your habits.............................................................................they become character.
Watch your character......................................................................it becomes your destiny.
Not Fair-u-see
Jesus announces the horrible fate of hypocritical religious leaders (Matt. 23:1-36)! Jesus
deeply grieves over Jerusalem like He does for those who reject Him today (23:37-39).
Only God knows the day (24:36).
Of the three prominent religious societies of Judaism at the time of Christ — Pharisees,
Sadducees, and Essenes — the Pharisees were the most highly respected.
Jewish scribes were a class of well-educated men whose professional occupation was to
thoroughly study the Law and explain its meaning. The scribes were copiers of the Law
and other documents. They held undisputed sway as the recognized interpreters of the
Law and were the revered representatives of Judaism. For the most part, they were
members of the Pharisee party. Jesus said: All their works they do for to be seen of men
(Matt. 23:5).
Together, they pledged themselves to live in strict observance of the Mosaic Law and to
obey all facets of the ‘tradition of the elders’ (earlier interpretations of the Law) (15:2-3)
to the minutest detail; they were sticklers for ceremonial purity. They also were
haughty and arrogant toward any who opposed their views. Considering their legalistic
attitudes, it was inevitable that they would bitterly oppose Jesus for His refusal to be
bound by their man-made traditions (John 9:16,22) and for His claims of being the
Messiah.
Throughout Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees were His most determined opponents. He, in
turn, condemned them for their hypocrisy, their legalism, the hardness of their hearts,
their pride against others, and their covetousness. “He said to them, ‘You are the ones
who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people
value highly is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:15).’” It is eternally sad that people in
all generations reject the Savior for earthly power and prestige.
Five times in sequence Jesus portrayed the religious leaders as blind (Matt. 23:16-17,19-
24,26) to their hypocrisy. He further described them as being full of extortion and
excess (23:25) and as being like white burial chambers (white-washed tombs) (23:27) —
outwardly righteous, but inwardly despicable. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his
disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Woe to you,
blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone
who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ In the same way, on the
outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and
wickedness” (lawlessness) (Matt. 23:1-2,14,16,28).
Qualities in Character
Good character qualities are useful for anything you wish to go after in life. Parents
strive to bring their children up to have great qualities. The apostle Peter had his own
list of Christian qualities that are found in (2 Peter 1:5-7). “For this very reason, make
every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to
knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,
godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” This is
what he encouraged believers to add to their life of faith:
Virtue. Fulfilling God’s design for a life with moral excellence.
Knowledge. Studying God’s Word to gain wisdom to combat falsehood.
Self-control. Revering God so much that we choose godly behavior.
Perseverance. Having a hopeful attitude even in difficulties because we’re confident in
God’s character.
Godliness. Honoring the Lord in every relationship in life.
Brotherly kindness. Displaying warmhearted affection for fellow believers.
Love. Sacrificing for the good of others.
Let’s increase these traits in ever-increasing measure and incorporate them into every
part of our lives.
Just as the body grows in strength
With exercise each day,
Our spirit grows in godliness
By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan
Watch your thoughts..............................................................................they become words.
Watch your words................................................................................they become actions.
Watch your actions.................................................................................they become habits.
Watch your habits.............................................................................they become character.
Watch your character......................................................................it becomes your destiny.