Who were the Pharisee ? The Pharisee were people who thought themselves to be good when they were not. The Pharisee were people who judged others a lot instead of looking at their own lives. What can we learn from be lesson of the Pharisees ? Who are Pharisees today ?
Who are Pharisees today ? Legalism
Legalism is a big issue ? Paul and Jesus say that those who are legalists cannot enter heaven . A legalist follows rules but thinks that following those rules will make him a good person . A legalist thinks that obeying requirements will change the heart and he will go to heaven because of those rules. A legalist can hate people, be selfish, arrogant yet follow rules.
The heart is not changed and the outward observance is not enough for God to have this person enter heaven. As e know when Jesus returns the body will be changed into a perfect body . But when Jesus returns nowhere in the bible does it say that Jesus will force the removal of bad habits and bad traits of character to go to heaven . God cannot force evil out of our own lives if we do not let him .
Who are Pharisees today ? The cross of Jesus
What is legalism ? Legalism is someone who thinks that they are good deep down . A legalist thinks that his works will be good enough to save him and go to heaven . A legalist makes the cross of Jesus of none effect. As if we could save ourselves with works why did Jesus died on the cross ? There would be no need for Jesus to die on the cross if we could save ourselves.
We cannot both save ourselves and need Jesus to die for our sins to save us . Oen is a religion of works, the other one is a religion of grace. Both cannot be true at the same time . Because men is helpless in saving himself then Jesus died on the cross to forgive his sins . Our only work is to believe . Even our works Jesus does them through us . The bible says that all our works God prepared them beforehand . God does the works through us Even the works are by faith .
Jesus says unless Jesus washes us, we have no part of the kingdom . Here too many people can work but unless they believe in Jesus for salvation their works will not gain them an entrance in heaven .
JN 13 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
RO 10 9 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This does not mean that we shall be saved i our sinful condition . This is another error people believe . That as soon as they believe they shall be in heaven . But we need to be sanctified. We need to be cleansed from sin which is pride, selfishness, unloving, unking spirit. Dishonesty, unbelief and legalism is also a sin . Who are Pharisees today ? All those who work and do not believe, or work to save themselves and think they are good persons .
Who are Pharisees today ? Saved y works also
What about the verse that says we are saved by works also ? Does the bible contradicts itself ? No Why does God put apparent contradictions ? It is so that we can search deeper into the Word of God and find the real meaning . We cannot be surface reader. If a person believes in God will they do things for others and love God also ? Yes . Then in this manner they are saved by works .
This verse does not mean that we are saved by works . This chapter says that the faith of Abraham was his work . Abraham believed and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
JA 2 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
This verse says that one that believes will have works . If someone says i love you and does not do anything for that person then his profession is dead. It does not mean that one is saved by doing things. As one can work and not love . One can obey God and not love God . Works does not mean that person is saved . But we are not saved by works . This chapter of James 2 says that if we have faith in God we will love God and other people .
This faith will manifest automatically in works for God and others. It does not mean we are saved by works . It means we cannot have faith and not have corresponding works that proves we have faith in God .
Who are Pharisees today ? Saved by faith
Here are a few verses about being saved by faith only . I like this one that says that if we are saved by works, then it is no more of faith . If we are saved by faith, then we are not saved by works . It cannot be both at the same time .
RO 11 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
We see that there cannot be contradictions in the bible . When you are at the stop sign, either the light is red or it is a green light . It cannot both . Either you are a dog or a cat. Here too we cannot be saved by grace and works at the same time . It is like saying put the key in ignition and the car will start. The stating of the car is the outcome of putting the key in the cars ignition .
GA 3 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. This verse also confirms that we cannot be saved by works because it could mean we are gods . If we could save ourselves there will be no need of God . Most pagan religions believe that they are saved by their own actions. Men is at the centre of their worship and it is an abomination to the cross and sacrifice of Jesus . Men is helpless to forgive his own sins, helpless to atone for his faults, helpless in changing his own heart.
Who are Pharisees today ? Who do we obey ?
This is the whole issue in fact as both the legalists, and those who are saved by faith work. The difference is why do they work ? What is the motive ? The legalists work to save themselves and receive approval of God . Those who are saved by faith work just because they love God and their neighbour . Who are Pharisees today ? Those who work to gain heaven There is no way we can work ourselves to heaven .
But if the motive is to be grateful to God for his love and goodness, then we will work not to save ourselves but because we love God. This is why the bible says our best works are like dirty rags . As they are often filled with selfishness and ulterior motives to benefit oneself, or to work to be seen of others, or to work to receive back from people .
IS 64 6 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The problem is that many Christians say I am saved y grace, yet in another part of their speech they will say they are saved by doing this or that. Most people are confused on this topic as for many other topics in the bible .
Who are Pharisees today? What is righteousness by faith?
Righteousness by faith can only come when someone realizes that there is nothing good in them . You cannot be on the grace side unless you recognize and realize that there is nothing good in me and you . So far as you think you are a good person, you will continue to be a legalist. Pharisees think very highly of themselves. This is because they do not see their own condition . They do not know themselves. When the men entered the temple to pray he gave God all his works to show himself good . The bible says that the one who saw himself as a sinner was justified.
LK 18 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Jesus spoke very often about this topic. In fact when we read the gospels most of the topics and the chapters in from Matthew to John are about hose Pharisees legalism and Jesus explaining what is the way of thinking of the kingdom of God . Jesus knew that many people think themselves to be good. This happens in all religion and even atheists can be legalists. It is a nightmare for the world as legalist are a curse to others. They continually judge others not seeing their own condition . And they are blind to the often many sins they have .
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Here the Pharisee says directly to God Look God i am a good person . I cannot imagine someone saying to God I a am a good person . A proud person is also blind to their own condition . In this we can see also that they do not know God. They think that God is proud like themselves. Nobody can be accepted of God being a Pharisee. In fact Paul says that the Pharisees are separated from God .
GA 5 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Strong words from Paul who says Christ does does not profit anyone who think they are good and saved by works .
Those who think they are saved by works have a debt to God to keep perfectly the whole law. Jesus is become to them totally useless and his death on the cross also useless. As they believe their works is what saves them and their own goodness. Only when our own goodness is seen as a lie and inexistent can we have hope in Jesus . Paul says that they are fallen from grace. The same words are spoken about Babylon . Babylon is fallen from truth . Here all Christians who believe they are saved by works are fallen from grace. Let us continue the parable in Luke 18
LK 18 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Only those who see and know that there is nothing good in us can have hope . Then we need to ask God everyday for his righteousness by faith. This power from God only can make someone have God work through us . Have you accepted Jesus in your heart before ? Repeat after me Father God forgive my sins, come into my heart. Give me your robe of righteousness. Heal and bless me . Help me to walk daily with you in the name of Jesus amen .
