I have a mantra: thou shalt offend pharisees.
Isn't that the example Jesus set? He didn't have the time of day for self-righteousness. Seems like he hated nothing more. The Pharisees turned everything into an argument. They found something wrong with everything--even miracles. And they were all about image. They looked totally righteous on the outside. They said the right things. They did the right things. But Jesus called them whitewashed tombs.
Abraham Lincoln said, "You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time."
So good. So true.
So here's the question: who are you offending?
Most of us are far more concerned about offending Pharisees than offending sinners. But is that the example Jesus set? He didn't offend prostitutes or tax collectors. He shared meals with them. He restored their dignity. But he wasn't afraid to call a pharisee a pharisee.
Having said that let me say this: make sure you have people in your lives that can speak the truth in love. You need accountability. Why? Because no one is above reproach or above rebuke. So make sure you listen to the voice of the prophet. But don't listen to the self-righteousness pharisee. Don't dialogue with them. Don't listen to them. Don't give them the time of day. Why? Because Jesus didn't.
Hope that helps someone who is fighting Pharisees.
Isn't that the example Jesus set? He didn't have the time of day for self-righteousness. Seems like he hated nothing more. The Pharisees turned everything into an argument. They found something wrong with everything--even miracles. And they were all about image. They looked totally righteous on the outside. They said the right things. They did the right things. But Jesus called them whitewashed tombs.
Abraham Lincoln said, "You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time."
So good. So true.
So here's the question: who are you offending?
Most of us are far more concerned about offending Pharisees than offending sinners. But is that the example Jesus set? He didn't offend prostitutes or tax collectors. He shared meals with them. He restored their dignity. But he wasn't afraid to call a pharisee a pharisee.
Having said that let me say this: make sure you have people in your lives that can speak the truth in love. You need accountability. Why? Because no one is above reproach or above rebuke. So make sure you listen to the voice of the prophet. But don't listen to the self-righteousness pharisee. Don't dialogue with them. Don't listen to them. Don't give them the time of day. Why? Because Jesus didn't.
Hope that helps someone who is fighting Pharisees.
6 Comments:
That is a huge blog post - rich! Probably a book in the making for church leaders, or at least an amazing chapter. Life giving insight!
Sorry if my post shows Anonymous, I did try to post with my actual blogger name and did not go through despite right username and password.
Jason, I can agree no more!
Actually, I laughed aloud about "Thou Shalt" because this is my language, too! Yes, I think is very bold post and now I understand why! That was after your post of "Purity=Potential". I like that post, and with comments I get it.
UnChristian book did talk about Pharisees that caused huge negative perceptions of today's Christianity, which is why I like Mark's new book, "Primal". GOOD START FOR 2010!
Let me recommend a book to read "Thank God I'm Not Pharisee... or Am I?" by John Elzinga. That book did change my heart and life. Good one!
No soda? geez, Lord Help Me, Too.
Exercise Daily? Ditto
BearFan
As God, Jesus was all knowing, and knew the pharisees were wrong, and could be safely ignored. I think that even if people are there to give accountability to a minister, there is the real potential that they fall for the same things you might fall for. For them to inadvertently become "yes men".
How do you distinguish between a Pharisee who is in it to build themselves up, and a prophet who is genuinely (even if the way the message is conveyed is flawed) trying to give a message that is needed?
Andrew,
Takes discernment, no doubt. The key is discerning the "spirit" of the person as well as the words. Also have to evaluate the "track record" of the person. Prophets and Pharisees leave very different trails.
I think leaders have to make sure they don't surround themselves with "yes men". Strong aren't afraid of healthy conflict. But they don't waste their time or energy with unhealthy conflict that has no redemptive value.
This is one of those posts that takes lots of processing.
Mark
Gudday Mark
In the church I attend, I'm very happy to submit to the leadership of the elders and ministers for a few reasons - that their leadership is Godly, and also that it is under a clear structure of oversight so that any one leader can't take a church off course without the congregation being able to appeal to higher levels if they are ignored.
Again and again in politics and in church life, there are examples of leaders who will have conflict on their terms, and will elevate those who play on their rules. If you challenged them, they would deny that they have "yes men", but the evidence is to the contrary.
Pharisees were those who cared about the detail of the law. The equivalents would be those who argue about minor points of theology that are less central to the message of the gospel. Who get stuck on minor issues and ignore the big ones. The internet does attract a large number of such single issue voters.
None of us like to be wrong. even fewer like to be shown to be wrong by someone who comes across in an unpleasant way. Surely it is wise to strip off the emotion and acid that a pharisee might include in a message, and examine the root message for value. I've found that a useful source of information - even from people whose approach and outlook is diametrically opposite to my own.
Anyhow - all the best.
Andrew
As Sunday School teacher, we are currently studying Matthew 23 chapter at our church.
Jesus said "You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and you're in for trouble! ... Yet you neglect the more important matters of the Law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness." CEV
We need to focus more on what Jesus wants us to do: practice justice, mercy and faith. Andrew, I found your comment as useful as mine! Good post, brother!
Post a Comment
<< Home