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Editors note: This is part of  the devotional I had with the Lord this morning/afternoon of August 18, 05 that I wanted to share with you all! If the questions or statements can be used as Bible study guides or discussion questions feel free to use them.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 78, Proverbs 18, and Mark 7:1-8)

"Any story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight." (Proverbs 18:17, TLB)

“The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^” (Mark 7:1-4, NIV)

“So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" (Mark 7:5, NIV)

“He replied, 'Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." (Mark 7:6-8, NIV)

Observations:

I asked myself who are the characters involved.

1. Pharisees & Teachers of the law

2. Disciples

3. Jesus

I asked myself the role of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

1. They came from Jerusalem and gathered around Jesus.

2. They saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed.

3. They asked Jesus, ”Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

I asked myself the role of the disciples.

They were eating food with “unclean” hands according to the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

I asked myself the role of Jesus.

Jesus responds to the ‘Pharisees & teachers of the law’ with 7 rebuking statements against them:

1. Jesus tells them the prophet Isaiah was right when he prophesized about them.

2. Jesus says to them, ‘You hypocrites.’

3. Jesus reminds them prophesy that states, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’

4. Jesus reminds them prophesy that states, “They worship me in vain.”

5. Jesus reminds them prophesy that states, “Their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

6. Jesus says to them, “You have let go of the commands of God.”

7. Jesus says to them, “You are holding on to the traditions of men.”

I decided to look at the last three rebuking statements today:

1. Jesus reminds them prophesy that states, “Their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

2. Jesus says to them, “You have let go of the commands of God.”

3. Jesus says to them, “You are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Interpretations:

I asked myself what I learn about Jesus’ view of teaching in relation to the commands of God and the traditions of men.

I felt Jesus is bringing two kinds of teaching for them to think about. There is one kind of teaching that is focused on man and his rules which Isaiah the prophet even renounced. Now, Jesus is telling the Pharisees and teachers of the law that they are guilty of that. They are focusing on rules taught by men.

It can be inferred if their teachings are but rules taught by men then there must be another kind of teaching that does not come from man but from God. This is the type of teaching that Jesus has been emphasizing time after time. I am reminded of Mark 2 where the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching because they saw Jesus teaching with authority and not as the teachers of the law they were used to. (Whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you listen to?) (May 09,05)

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life.  If I am adhering to teachings that are but rules taught by human beings without testing them with God’s Word, I put myself in a very precarious position. I need to always follow the teachings of the Lord and not let man sugar-coat the teachings of the Lord and what the Lord has for us in His Word. We should not especially sugar-coat the Gospel.

The sad thing is that it is happening very frequently in the 21^st century where the Lord’s teaching is being sugar-coated or twisted around to suit man’s own welfare and well-being. This is not just being done by laypeople but sadly by some seminaries, some pastors, and priests, etc. That should not be.

When I learn from the Word of God, I ask the Lord to show me what He wants to show me and not what I want to see. When I share what the Lord has taught me in my study of His Word, I tell people who receive the devotionals to test everything I have stated with Scripture.

I know about those who blatantly endorse the act of homosexuality, the act of killing the unborn (in the name of pro-choice), the act of blatantly ordaining pastors/priests that do not meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy and Titus for pastors and deacons, etc because of their teachings that contradict the Bible.

I ask you now dear friend whose teaching do you follow?

Dear friend, there is a lot of teaching out there on different topics and even on topics mentioned in the Bible but I have come to believe through the years of ministry that the Bible is the Absolute Truth and not relative. In 33 days, I went through the entire Word of God from Genesis – Revelation after taking a 40 day time of period from July 04, 2005 (America’s Independence Day) to August 15,2005 (India’s Independence Day)

I know of churches that say it is wrong to dance, watch T.V, play cards for fun, wear jewels, etc but reading through the entire Bible few days ago, I have not found where we should not do those. They are rules instituted by human beings.

What we need to remember is that whatever we do in word or deed when we are doing it for the honor and glory of the Lord, there is nothing wrong with it as long as it does not contradict God’s Word.

Now if we play cards and it turns into gambling, there is a problem. If wearing jewels puts us into heavy debt because we want to live materialistically, there is a problem with that. If dancing causes people to take it to the next step they know should not happen, there is a problem. If watching T.V makes people lust or do things contrary to the Word of God, there is a problem.

If you look into Scripture as a whole, you can see that it does not contradict itself. If anything it strengthens certain things. As followers of Christ, we need to remember that we are under a New Covenant and the New Covenant takes precedent over the Old Covenant but if something is not mentioned in the New Covenant, we need to adhere to the things in the Old Testament too!

If as Christians, we just were to follow the New Testament then there would be no use for the Old Testament. It is the Old Testament that makes us realize how wretched we are and the grace offered through Jesus Christ. This grace the Lord wanted to offer us started in Genesis already when God sacrificed the first animal to clothe Adam and Eve in their nakedness. This was to be a foreshadow of Jesus being sacrificed as the sacrificial Lamb of God to clothe us with His righteousness and cover us with His cleansing Blood. There are so many other analogies to explain God’s grace. Prophesy is the key that foreshadows what Jesus Christ would do for us.

So, friend let the Word of God be the Word of God and not what you want it to be or someone tells you what it should be.

Why has that happened?

I looked into it deeply because I wanted to understand how someone can say they are followers of Christ and then live as followers of the devil. Jesus used that kind of language in John 8 when talking to the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

It is the inconsistent teachings of the Pharisees and teachers of the law that confused and turned people away. Jesus wanted to put a stop to their kind of teaching because it was hurting the masses. Jesus wants to put a stop to that kind of teaching even now but as the Pharisees continued to teach inconsistencies, even today people preach inconsistencies sadly.

Friend, there are three views of Scripture that different seminaries adapt to but only one view of Scripture is biblical:

1. Bible contains the Word of God (unbiblical view)

2. Bible becomes the Word of God (unbiblical view)

3. Bible is the Word of God (biblical view)

View 1: Bible contains the Word of God

This view states that the Bible as a book is not the complete Word of God. It contains man’s words too and not just God’s Word. This view states, we need to pick and choose what is God’s Word and what is man’s word. There is a danger in this view. In this view, if people do not agree with something God has said, then they say to themselves, “God would never say that so it must be some man’s words that got into Scripture." This view makes people walk on thin ground. Anything they agree with becomes the Word of God and anything they do not agree with is not the Word of God.

Why do you think homosexuality, abortion, divorce, pre-marital sex, etc have been getting so much support?

It is not because the Bible agrees with all this but because man wants people to think God is not against all that. There is only one exception for divorce in Scripture. If anything forgiveness and grace is emphasized. There should be no reason whatsoever why followers of Christ have an equivalent divorce rate as non-believers. This is just shocking and unbelievable. This is just one example.

This is the view Satan adapted when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan picked and chose Scripture to suit its needs by twisting Scripture. But, Scripture needs to be taken as a whole. Jesus rebuked Satan with Scripture and overcame temptation by doing it the right way.

Picking and choosing can be very dangerous especially for a Christian’s walk with the Lord. Friend, I do not want that to happen to you. God has given us His Word to read and meditate on it so we can walk the right path.

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8, NIV)

If you never open the Word of God on your own but only listen to it on Sunday’s, you are missing out on a lot. When that happens it is also easy to be deceived by some who give their own teachings that are not in line with Scripture. If you know Scripture, then you can say, ‘Pastor, I don’t think that is right because the Bible says so and so in these verses’ etc when you are alone with the pastor/priest, etc. You do not dishonor your pastor, priest, etc for they are placed in authority over you but pointing out a discrepancy in their sermon is not wrong I believe because we are to seek the Lord first and foremost.

View 2: Bible becomes the Word of God.

Friend, this view is similar to ‘view one’ but does not see the Bible as we have it as the Word of God. It just sees it as a textbook with good stories, etc. In this view, it is slightly similar to the Gnostic view in that when you open the Bible, it only becomes the Word of God when the Lord reveals something to you. In this view, if there is no revelation or God’s peace, then it is not the Word of God.

So someone could read a passage on homosexuality and just see it as man’s writing and not what God meant. Those that read that passage and are practicing homosexuals but have peace about it, will just state to you, “I have peace with God and since I have peace with God, I know what I am doing is not wrong”.

The Bible also states that Satan comes as light but it is in reality a deception of darkness. If you have peace about something but you are going against the Word of God, then you need to ask yourself if it is God’s peace you are experiencing or self-peace. When it comes to divorce, etc a lot of Christians are basing it on this view I believe.

View 3: Bible is the Word of God.

Friend, this is the biblical view of Scripture. This view states that the Bible in its entirety is the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. This view states that God is the Author of Life and He has given us an instruction manual for our life. What it means is Breathe In Bible, Live Eternally!!! This means I cannot just pick and choose the instructions I want to follow and ignore the other instructions.

What would happen if you were to do that to something you bought and only followed instructions that you liked or were easy but things that were difficult to follow, you just ignored them?

I will tell you what would happen. The product you bought may not work; if it works it will not work properly and to its full potential, or the product could be damaged right away or soon, etc.

Friend, the Lord’s rules or commandments are not given to make us miserable but so that we can live the life our Lord wants us to have and for our own good. Taking the Bible to be the Word of God and following God’s instructions is the best way to go. The Author of Life knows how He created us for He is our Creator. Since He is our Creator, He has a manual for us the created to follow so we can live an abundant life. Friend, for that to happen you have to believe the Bible is the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation.

Psalm 119 is an excellent Psalm to read pertaining to how Scripture can instruct us in our lives. Take that with what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Yes, friend all Scripture and not some Scripture. All Scripture is inspired by God and God-breathed for us to be able to follow confidently! Whenever I am given opportunities to teach the Word of God, I want to teach the Word of God. Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us into all Truth but the Holy Spirit will not contradict His own Word.

May you follow the teachings of Jesus and the Bible depending on Him!

“Teaching Everyday All Christ Has Inspired, Now Give Scripture!”(T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S)/”Whose teachings do you follow?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word for your Word is Truth. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Since you are the Truth and your Word is Truth, and you are the Word who has been in the beginning, we can be confident of what you teach us. Forgive us Oh Lord for the times we have gone our own way to suit our needs. Help us Jesus and cleanse us with your cleansing precious blood. Thank you that we can ask you of that because you died on the cross to save us and give us new life. So, we come and accept the life you give us. Help us to live the truth and proclaim the truth without giving into repercussions we think will come because we stand up to you and Your Word.  Sanctify us by your Truth for your word is Truth! Thank you Jesus for your help! We depend on you Lord. I pray for the one right now who is confused when it comes to your Word. Please Oh Lord reveal yourself to them in your Word through your timing. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and save them Oh Lord as they seek you. Help us to follow your Word not only when it is easy to follow but especially when it is difficult to follow from a human perspective. I thank you Lord so much.  Hear us and answer us Oh Lord. I also pray for pastors, priests, ministers, and all who teach your Word that they would teach your Word and not their own ideas or rules that contradict your Word. Please convict all of us when we go against your Word and please bring revival into this land Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for being the Bread of Life. You are the Living Bread of my life. Thank you for coming from Heaven and giving your life for the life of the world. You sacrificed yourself for humanity. Thank you Lord when we eat of you symbolically making you part of our life, digesting what you teach us by following you, we can be living Eternally, and the fruit that comes will reflect and resemble your life. I want that Father God. I want that Lord Jesus! I want that Holy Spirit! I know of a lot of people who partake of Holy Communion where the bread represents your body broken for their sin and the juice represents your blood shed for their sin. When we partake of Holy Communion, we are reminded that we are remembering you. I want to remember you always Lord Jesus. But for me to remember you always, I need to know you and acknowledge everything you said you are. So right now I acknowledge that you are my Lord and Personal Savior who died and rose again to give me life from sin. So right now, I come to you and say how sorry I am for my sin and living a life on my own. I repent of my sin and ask you to forgive me of my sin with your cleansing blood which I accept. Wash me and I will be clean from this infection of sin. Come Lord Jesus and please become part of my life as you live in me and I will live for you. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I do need your Spirit to reside in me and work in me and through me so I surrender all that I am and will be to you. Whatever your will is for me, please give me the strength and willingness to bear it and rejoice in you. Thank you so much Jesus. I thank you Jesus for becoming my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and have answered me. I thank you that I am your child Oh God. I thank you for becoming my only Way, Turth, and Life to Eternal Life. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

(You can start your Christian adventure by reading the Gospel of John)

Friend you may feel something or may not feeling anything but do not go by your feelings. When you ask Jesus to come into your life, He will and does. He will take over from here as you depend on the Lord and let Him work in you and through you! This is exciting friend! May each one that came to know Jesus be filled with His Holy Spirit forever more and those that know Jesus come to know Him more and more! Amen!

P.S.. If you need someone to talk to, pray with, or have a  Bible study, you can email me at reddy4HisGlory2004@yahoo.com and we can set up a time that is convenient for you! You can also call me at 412-720-4579

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