I use to joke that if I lived in New Testament times (and were a man), I would have been more like the Pharisees. I believe Jesus would have made me uncomfortable with His forgiving everyone, breaking the law by healing on Sabath, allowing prostitutes to touch him.
I don’t think the Pharisees were necessarily bad people. They were law followers. Following the law can give you a sense of satisfaction. It’s why I like math. It’s a formula. I can excel at formulas. Go to church once a week. Give 10% (math). Try not to hurt anyone. Judge people who don’t live up to your standard. Easy-peasy.
But then….
God began to give me a greater revelation of His love. He began to open my eyes to the grace and mercy He has so freely given me. He began to show me just how much I have freely been forgiven. When I could see how far away I was from God (we all were), when I recognized it was not my church going, my tithing, my right living, that purchased my salvation but the sufferings of Jesus, my Pharisical heart began to change. The grace and mercy I had received began to flow freely from my heart towards others. I’m not perfect but I’m better.
Allow me to go Jeff Foxworthy on you for a second. If following a man made law is more important than empathizing and helping someone who is hurting, you might have the heart of a Pharisee. Because remember, slavery at one time was lawful. If you would rather be right and stick to the company line than show compassion, you might have the heart of a Pharisee. If you can you see only one side of every situation, you might have the heart of a Pharisee.
But listen, this is not to condemn you. The answer is simple. It’s something I pray regularly:
Lord, give me a greater revelation of your love. Give me eyes to see what you see. Help me love like you love.
Let’s pray that not only for ourselves. But let us pray this for our leaders as well. Lord give us a greater revelation of your love.
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.””
Luke 7:47 NKJV
