Our paragraph topic is: (They overstress the nonessential part of religion) Part 4.
They were blessed to have known their God. He spoke to them through the prophets. He sent messengers to the leaders giving directions and instructions. He guided them through hard times and he chastised them when they did not listen to his words of wisdom. Yet they were a hardened people, prone to their own ways. They had the Law handed down to them by their forefathers to guide their daily lives. But they had the desires to live in a world of riches like other men.
The Romans ruled over them so they had to obey Roman Law. They had to keep the peace or suffer the heavy hand of Roman justice or punishment. Some of the people did not like it and would have rebelled. But it was up to the leaders of the synagogue to keep the people in line and prevent any uprising. So the Scribes and the Pharisees, out of fear, found every way to clamp down on the people to keep them in line. Christ called them hypocrites because they did not believe in their faith. They only knew the positions of power they wanted to keep. They did whatever was necessary to rule over the people to keep the Romans happy.
They had a God who created the universe and yet they feared the Romans. They had a God who separated the Red Sea for their people to cross over yet they gave up their belief and faith in him for fear of the Romans. They had a God who brought plague upon the Egyptian nation but they stopped having mercy and forgiveness as their God had instructed them. Right judgment was a thing of the past in the face of the Imperial Roman Cohort even though their God was the God of all mankind. Christ told them: "These things you ought to have done, while not leaving the others undone."
Faith, right judgment, mercy Christ tells us are an essential part of our religion, what we believe. Despite all that happens in the world around us today, we should have a solid foundation in the knowledge and belief that we have a God and Father who cares for us. He will provide and protect us no matter what happens in the world. If all else fails, if the world comes to an end, if the sun explodes and the moon crashes into the sea, we will always have our Father to rely upon to take care of us. We are his children and he is our Father and his love is ours to count on.
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 blessed to have known their God. He spoke to them through the prophets. He sent messengers to the leaders giving directions and instructions. He guided them through hard times and he chastised them when they did not listen to his words of wisdom. Yet they were a hardened people, prone to their own ways. They had the Law handed down to them by their forefathers to guide their daily lives. But they had the desires to live in a world of riches like other men.
The Romans ruled over them so they had to obey Roman Law. They had to keep the peace or suffer the heavy hand of Roman justice or punishment. Some of the people did not like it and would have rebelled. But it was up to the leaders of the synagogue to keep the people in line and prevent any uprising. So the Scribes and the Pharisees, out of fear, found every way to clamp down on the people to keep them in line. Christ called them hypocrites because they did not believe in their faith. They only knew the positions of power they wanted to keep. They did whatever was necessary to rule over the people to keep the Romans happy.
They had a God who created the universe and yet they feared the Romans. They had a God who separated the Red Sea for their people to cross over yet they gave up their belief and faith in him for fear of the Romans. They had a God who brought plague upon the Egyptian nation but they stopped having mercy and forgiveness as their God had instructed them. Right judgment was a thing of the past in the face of the Imperial Roman Cohort even though their God was the God of all mankind. Christ told them: "These things you ought to have done, while not leaving the others undone."
Faith, right judgment, mercy Christ tells us are an essential part of our religion, what we believe. Despite all that happens in the world around us today, we should have a solid foundation in the knowledge and belief that we have a God and Father who cares for us. He will provide and protect us no matter what happens in the world. If all else fails, if the world comes to an end, if the sun explodes and the moon crashes into the sea, we will always have our Father to rely upon to take care of us. We are his children and he is our Father and his love is ours to count on.
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.
