Serving God is more than our weekly church attendance and having titles or positions. You’d be surprised at the many pews that are filled with people who faithfully attend church services, only to walk out the same way they walked in. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise though. In Jesus’ days, the temples were filled with such people; they were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were two of the most prominent religious groups in Judaism. Their religion was outward in form with no inward godliness of heart (Matt. 23:25). They were all about ‘traditions’ and keeping the letter of the law by their own interpretations.
They occupied their ‘office’ all in the name of the Lord, but their lives were morally lax and worldly. While appearing to hold to the laws of God, they really denied many of the teachings when they opposed Jesus’ wisdom and miracles. They’re obsession with ‘keeping the letter of the law’ blinded them from the truth that they were actually doing quite the opposite as they refused to recognize the depravity of their own nature.
If we look around today, we will see the spirit of the 21st Century Pharisees and Sadducees moving in our midst; this mindset or spirit still flows today. It is ‘working’ rather than ‘worshipping’. This spirit sits on the church boards, serves communion, handles the Lord’s money, etc.
Jesus’ message is ‘change’ and ‘repent’. The word change, in this case, is a noun, and it is the process in making or becoming different. To change in its verb form means alter or adjust. The word repent means to be sorry, apologize, or ask forgiveness. We must be willing to alter and adjust so that the process of making or becoming different can take place.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
God’s Word should challenge us to change daily. The words Jesus spoke often pricked or offended the Pharisees and Sadducees because of their wicked ways. Does God’s Word offend or prick our hearts, or does it cause us to humble ourselves and repent?
Tilt your heart toward the Son!
Narda Goodson
First Lady of Whitewright, Texas
Influence, Inspire, & Infiltrate!
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