The Pharisee in Me
It is possible that when you hear about the Pharisees you relate them to bad people. And no wonder, for we know very well of the differences that they had with Jesus.
The religious leaders of Israel had an important role. The Israelites had suffered captivity as a result of their disobedience to God. It was the responsibility of these leaders to keep the Israelites from falling back into captivity, while leading them towards God. But in their zeal to fulfill this responsibility they lost their perspective, focusing on rules that would prevent people from “falling away” from God, rather than focusing on helping people to get closer to God.
This religious system “put” God out of the reach of those who most needed him. For this reason Jesus criticized them harshly, for He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10); the same people to whom the religious leaders were shutting the doors.
Unfortunately, sometimes we as believers have fallen in the same error of the Pharisees, one way or another. Our zeal for the word of God sometimes blinds us, hindering us from achieving its purpose.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
While it is necessary to “safeguard” biblical teachings against those who claim to be Christians but do not live as such, we cannot forget our responsibility to go and make disciples.
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one…. – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
We will not be effective in preaching the good news if we proclaim the teachings of Jesus while disregarding his example.
but have not love, I am nothing – 1 Corinthians 13:2
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