The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were the leading citizens among the Jews. They knew what God’s law said and they would tell people how to apply it. But they were hypocrites. Adding their own laws on top of God’s laws, thinking that would “protect” the law of God. Yet in doing so, they violated the spirit of the law, which is love.
Scripture shows that we do the same as the Pharisees if we add our own standards to God’s law. “Surely a Christian would never listen to that kind of music, or wear those clothes, or dance, or . . .” We might think we are being especially zealous for the law of God by adding our restrictions. But God desires love, not legalism.
Today, if we Follow human standards while ignoring God’s call to love, it can lead to terrible results like a misrepresentation of God. It has led to racism: like apartheid in Africa and slavery! It has led to sexism: “She asking to get raped.” It has led to nationalism: “This country was better off without them.” This misrepresentation and hypocrisy will condemn us on the day of judgment. Laws that do not aim at love for all people are not God’s laws. The Ruler of heaven and earth is not fooled by distorted rule-following masking our hatred for his creation.
“You must be careful to do everything [the teachers of the law] tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, please forgive me when I set up false standards. Father, forgive me if I have judged others unlovingly and misrepresented you. Lord, help me to love everyone as you do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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