Our paragraph topic is: (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 1.
They were zealots in their desires to control the people. They believed that every part of the Law must be applied to everyday life or else the people would find ways to get around the Law. So they created rules to cover every possible way to keep the people in line and to limit any way that would allow outlets for them to get around the Law.
This is why Christ called them out on all the unnecessary rules they placed upon the people. These were not rules in the Law. They were only rules put in place by the Scribes and the Pharisees. This is why Christ admonished them: "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
Again he called them hypocrites in the face of the public that all would know them for what they were, and again the Scribes and the Pharisees were angered at being publicly humiliated. But they could not see. They could not understand. They could not comprehend that this was an opportunity for them to realize who they were and what they had done to the people. It was an opportunity for them to become open and be healed of their evil influences. But this was not to happen.
Instead, as we know today, they were too far gone. They were pawns in the game of chess between good and evil being played out for the prize of mankind. Christ came to save us from the forces of evil that had held mankind in its grip since the garden of Eden. Death was born and brought forth into the world and reigned until Christ came and conquered it. He is the first of the new born. He is the master and savior of the new man.
All now have the chance at life instead of death. All now have the opportunity at eternal life if they choose. For the life here on this earth is only temporary. But the life hereafter is for all eternity. The comparison of life now to life eternal is but a speck of sand to the entire beach of sand. Yet that choice is ours to make and we each must come to the awareness of who we are and why we are here. Choose life eternal and not death.
Life is not about how much money you can make or your status, your home or car, or your clothes, or job. Life is about life, and that is already given to you if you choose it. Live a good life. God will provide all that you need. Trust in his love for you and he will provide. Do not be anxious about tomorrow for you have a Father in heaven who knows what you need and he will take care of you. He is loving and caring, protecting and providing. All we need do is thank him for the saving grace he gives us. Amen.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
They were zealots in their desires to control the people. They believed that every part of the Law must be applied to everyday life or else the people would find ways to get around the Law. So they created rules to cover every possible way to keep the people in line and to limit any way that would allow outlets for them to get around the Law.
This is why Christ called them out on all the unnecessary rules they placed upon the people. These were not rules in the Law. They were only rules put in place by the Scribes and the Pharisees. This is why Christ admonished them: "Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
Again he called them hypocrites in the face of the public that all would know them for what they were, and again the Scribes and the Pharisees were angered at being publicly humiliated. But they could not see. They could not understand. They could not comprehend that this was an opportunity for them to realize who they were and what they had done to the people. It was an opportunity for them to become open and be healed of their evil influences. But this was not to happen.
Instead, as we know today, they were too far gone. They were pawns in the game of chess between good and evil being played out for the prize of mankind. Christ came to save us from the forces of evil that had held mankind in its grip since the garden of Eden. Death was born and brought forth into the world and reigned until Christ came and conquered it. He is the first of the new born. He is the master and savior of the new man.
All now have the chance at life instead of death. All now have the opportunity at eternal life if they choose. For the life here on this earth is only temporary. But the life hereafter is for all eternity. The comparison of life now to life eternal is but a speck of sand to the entire beach of sand. Yet that choice is ours to make and we each must come to the awareness of who we are and why we are here. Choose life eternal and not death.
Life is not about how much money you can make or your status, your home or car, or your clothes, or job. Life is about life, and that is already given to you if you choose it. Live a good life. God will provide all that you need. Trust in his love for you and he will provide. Do not be anxious about tomorrow for you have a Father in heaven who knows what you need and he will take care of you. He is loving and caring, protecting and providing. All we need do is thank him for the saving grace he gives us. Amen.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
