As we look upon what the world calls Christendom today, we find many religious leaders imposing outward, rules, standards and even manifestations to govern and separate their people unto their own sect or denomination. This is not a new thing to the religious world as Jesus Christ also encountered people of the same mind in His ministry upon the earth.

Mark 7:1-8 1
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

In these scriptures we find the scribes and the Pharisees were ridiculing the disciples for not washing their hands before they ate. When the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus on this He answered by labelling their practices as the tradition and commandments of men.

Jesus’ judgement upon them was “For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…” He also described them as being a people who honoured God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him.

The Pharisees were of a strict Jewish sect who placed much emphasis on adherence to man-made traditions, and rules. They were a prideful people and their pride rested in their observance of all that is outward. This is what Jesus condemned.

While the Pharisees may have considered themselves to be the most righteous and holy in their adherence to their law, once the tradition and man-made rules were stripped away, there was nothing left but the filthiness of dead man’s bones.

Matthew 23:27-28
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

From this we may understand that God’s desire is not simply for a people who will be righteous outwardly, or else he would have been pleased with the Pharisees. God’s purpose in creation was that He would have a people who would bring Him pleasure.

Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

What is it about God’s people that bring Him pleasure? Does it please Him to see people simply following all the rules and standards on the outward?

Proverbs 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

God is looking for a people who love Him. His purpose in creation was to separate a people unto Himself who love Him. This is what brings Him pleasure. This is what pleases God.

If He were simply looking for people who would adhere to rules and regulations and standards imposed upon them, He could have just as easily created beings without choice who would automatically operate the right way outwardly, however this would bring Him no pleasure.

Just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day there are many whose confidence and self assurance rests in their ability to adhere to a series of outward rules given to them by the “church” leadership.

“God’s desire is not simply for a people who will be righteous outwardly, or else he would have been pleased with the Pharisees.”

They believe this separates them from the rest. Many use these things to separate themselves from the world or separate themselves from other denominations. This is man’s way of separating himself.

I personally have witnessed men and women who have been able to follow all the rules and standards laid out in their denomination’s “faith statement” making them well respected in their group. I have seen some of these same people act in malice and hatred and anything but the love of God.

God does not separate His people by the outward alone. Any man in the world, if he chooses, can also follow a list of rules pertaining to outward behaviour, dress standards, a form of speech etc. It doesn’t take a saint to do this. But only the redeemed of God have their hearts purified and can live a life governed by their love for God and their love for their neighbour.

A life that is pure on the outside as a result of a heart made pure in the born again experience is a truly holy life. It is no wonder that God said…

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

God sees beyond the outward and He separates mankind into two groups – those who love Him and seek Him from the heart, and those who do not love Him but simply follow man. God desires those who will not simply worship Him by dressing up the outward man, but will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Let us not be like the Pharisees whose righteousness consisted of their adherence to tradition and man-made law. We must search our hearts and ensure that we are worshipping God in spirit and in truth and thereby bringing Him pleasure.

Filed under: Category The Daily Desk | Tags: by Robyn Grabar