*The Pharisees were religious leaders that held fast the law of Moses, and lived by customs and traditions: Unlike the Sadducees, they did believe in resurrection. They dressed in distinct, elaborate apparel to be recognized as important or superior. They should have been an example to God’s law, but they were hypocrites!
The purpose of the law was to show the people how to live to honor God. One of the main points of the law was to love people the way God has loved us. The Pharisees weren’t loving at all and so they were terrible representatives of God’s love. Jesus taught that we should love others as He loves us.
Knowing what the Bible says isn’t enough. We are supposed to live it and we need a relationship with Jesus to do that. He’s not so concerned about our apparel, or how long our hair is, or the jewelry we wear. He’s looking at our heart, He’s watching how we treat others!
Should we dress modest? Yes. Should we judge others? No. Just because we think something is wrong doesn’t mean it is. If church leaders are not careful, they will lead the church into becoming more of a social club than a house of prayer. Micah 6:8 tells us what the Lord requires: ..."to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God"
Mt. 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:(teach and interpret the laws of Moses)
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments...
Mk.7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
*Commandments of men present themselves in todays chuches as 'judgements'. When you feel disaproval or discredited by others because maybe you worship more or less boldy, or you dress differently, or you don't hold to 'their' standards, don't let it discourage you. God looks on the heart & He knows your intent.
In 1 Cor. 4:2-4, Paul said that we are required to be found faithful...he went on to say, "It is a small thing that I am judged of you or of man's judgment, I don't even judge myself, but He that judges me is the Lord. Jesus teaches in Mt. 7:1 -3
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
* Churches put down each other beacuse one has energetic worship, or because they dress casual or different, or they have refreshment in the foyer, or they light up the stage, or men & women don't wear their hair a certain way or dress a certain way. The list is long. There are things I don't agree with or I'm not comfortable with, but that doesn't make them wrong. Let God be the judge of these things & let's focus on being the type of light that He approves of (Micah 6:8) Born again believers make up the church & we are not perfect, but we are loved by God!
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