The Precepts of Men
Jesus was very harsh on one group of people, the religious leaders. They were the ones who should have known the Bible better than anyone else. Instead of teaching the Word of God as doctrine, they taught the precepts of men. This morning my memory verse was from Mark 7:6-8 in which He had some very strong language for these men. His indictment was that they neglected the commandment of God, and they held to the tradition of men. From what Jesus said that is one of the worst things we can do.
I spoke of this the other day, when I asked us to consider where we get our theology. We must not teach as doctrine the teaching of men, but only the Word of God. However, we sometimes fall into the same trap that the Pharisees fell into. It is easy to take what a man says and not investigate the Bible. We must not be lazy when it comes to eternal truths and eternal salvation.
The most loving thing we can do for someone like the Pharisees is just what Jesus did. He corrected them, so they would not believe the wrong thing and miss salvation and the will of God. It is hard to do, but it would be much less loving to let them go down the broad road that leads to destruction.
Tonight, I will read Numbers 20-21 and Mark 7:1-13, so I can cover the readings for Feb. 29. Then, tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 22-24 and Mark 7:14-37.
I spoke of this the other day, when I asked us to consider where we get our theology. We must not teach as doctrine the teaching of men, but only the Word of God. However, we sometimes fall into the same trap that the Pharisees fell into. It is easy to take what a man says and not investigate the Bible. We must not be lazy when it comes to eternal truths and eternal salvation.
The most loving thing we can do for someone like the Pharisees is just what Jesus did. He corrected them, so they would not believe the wrong thing and miss salvation and the will of God. It is hard to do, but it would be much less loving to let them go down the broad road that leads to destruction.
Tonight, I will read Numbers 20-21 and Mark 7:1-13, so I can cover the readings for Feb. 29. Then, tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 22-24 and Mark 7:14-37.