@AYENCO 5 February 2023 more from that month

THE PHARISEES OF TODAY Matthew 9:11- *"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?"* In our Lord Jesus' day, the Pharisees were His chief opponent. They found fault with everything He did, and never rested until they had Him killed. (John 18:3) I'm yet to read one positive attribute of the Pharisees. Yes, they had knowledge of the law, but it did not benefit them in anyway, and was of no use to those around them. Their knowledge was not backed by fear of God, and so they became fools while professing to be the wisest of men. The Pharisees may no longer be here, but their spirit is very much alive in some church folks. These set of people "knows" all in church who are *hell bound sinners* and not only keeps a safe distance from them, but never stop criticising and talking about them. James, wrote about real Christianity when he warns:*"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law..."*(James 4:11)What he says next is even more sobering: *"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"* Anytime we put on this nauseating garb of the Pharisees, we make ourselves God. Know that you would have been in worse situation but for God's mercy and grace. That brother or sister that you quickly condemn and cheapen before any available listener may be a better candidate for heaven than you. Who would have believed that Judas, a core apostle of Jesus would betray Him? What about Peter? He swore that He never knew Jesus! *"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."* (1Corinthians 10:12) There are diamonds still covered in dirt; there are some gold in the furnace. Don't pass them off as rubbish simply because your mortal eyes can't see what God is turning them into. There is a Saul out there that would soon be addressed as Paul. This is in no way telling us to turn a blind eye to sin, but that love should guide all our dealings. Jesus didn't save the world via judgemental confrontations but by love. LET US PRAY: Dear Father in heaven. Thank You for Your word. Let my life be saturated with Your love, and let it spread to all around me.... TODAY'S QUOTE : *"Persistence in prayer for someone we don't like, however it goes against the grain to begin with, brings about a remarkable change in attitude."* - FF Bruce