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Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ and the Myth of Pharisaic Orthodoxy
It was Einstein who famously coined the expression, ‘Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.’ In recent years a trend has arisen in evangelicalism as well as the liberal denominations and the seeker sensitive movement. The gospel has often become oversimplified rendering its meaning unintelligible.
The gospel, that is the Lord Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and by one sacrifice is the mediator between God and mankind, who made atonement for sins, rose from the grave and ascended to heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father and who will return in glory has often been reduced to a single ambiguous question and statement of affirmation in response to that question. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
While every Christian does have a personal relationship with Jesus, so does the devil, though obviously not a good one. In fact James tells us that the demons also believe in God, yet they tremble! (James 2:19)
The Test of Knowing God
Encouragingly though, the Bible clearly and consistently affirms that God is not impersonal, that we can know Him and explains how we can be certain that we do in fact know Him.
Firstly Jeremiah 9:24-25 exhorts those who would glory, to glory in ‘That he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight says the Lord.’ God desires that believers know His ways since it is impossible to please God without faith, (Heb 11:5) The outworking of faith is through obedience to Him.
Secondly Jesus explained the quality and type of relationship between Himself, His followers and His Father. ‘I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep’ (John 10:14-15)
The shepherd’s role is to lead, guide, feed, protect and correct the flock continually and especially when they wander off on their own accord. Ultimately though, there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends (John 15:13) which is exactly what Jesus chose to do, since no one could take his life from Him though He laid down His life for His sheep.
Thirdly John assures believers of how they can be sure that they know God. ‘Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.’ (1 John 2:3) John’s statement is both reassuring and practical. In addition John 14:21 confirms how believers can know that they love God and that He will reveal Himself to them. ‘He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love Him and manifest Myself to him.’
Tradition and the Myth of Pharisaic Orthodoxy
Undoubtedly some will protest, voicing the opinion that the Christian life is not about commandments because commandments equal rules and dead religion and its all about relationship. Others will say that the Pharisees kept the law, abided by all the rules and commandments perfectly and still missed the mark, because they had no relationship with God!
Rules and religion are not able to provide salvation. However someone who knows God and keeps His commandments cannot fail to have a ‘relationship with God’ even though interestingly that particular term is not found in Scripture. Nonetheless, since the believer is saved by grace not by works (Eph 2:8-9) and keeping the commandments is still critical we must ask the questions, where did the Pharisees go wrong and what does God require us to do today?
Amazingly, the Pharisees made such effort to keep the law that by adding extra laws to keep God’s law they added to it, contravening God’s law not to add or take away from the word of God. (Deut 4:2, 12:32, Prov 30:5-6, Matt 5:17-18, Rev 22:18) The Bible is not from private interpretation and was given by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet1:20-21) Therefore scripture is inerrant, infallible, and sufficient and should be our primary focus for how we are to obey God.
The Pharisees were nullifying the commandments of God via their traditions! (Matt 15:6) Exactly the same error occurred through the Catholic Church, particularly in the dark ages and also happens when tradition is granted an even footing with, or replaces Biblical truth.
Jesus said the Pharisees were like white washed sepulchres, beautiful outwardly though full of uncleanness inside. (Matt 23:27) They were hypocritical in that they paid their tithes of mint, anise and cumin though neglected the weightier matters of the law including mercy, justice and faith. (Matt 23:23)
Theologians discuss orthodoxy meaning ‘correct teaching or doctrine’ and orthopraxy, ‘right practice’. The Pharisees were neither orthodox nor orthopraxic though are often accused of being legalistic, placing a greater emphasis on law than on God’s grace.
Although the law cannot provide salvation, God’s law should not be considered sinful. (Rom 7:7) The law is akin to a mirror and makes people aware of what sin constitutes. The problem was that the mirror the Pharisees used was not the law that God provided and it was doubtful if they kept His greatest commandment which was to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength and mind. (Mark 12:30)
What God Requires
God has already declared that He desires his followers to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God. (Micah 6:8)
To put the above into practise requires obeying His commandments. Contrary to popular sentiment though, keeping His commandments is a joy, and not is not wearisome and is proof that we love His children also. Again John writes ‘By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.’ (1 John 5:3) Amen! |
