I know we went over this same passage yesterday in chapter 4, but I want to emphasize us to not skip over this particular part of Chapter 4. In these days the so called “educated” or “most fit” to preach and teach the word of God were the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were the true Bible scholars of their time. When Peter and John spoke boldly about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ they spoke with the authority of the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees and Sadducees fell in the trap of thinking there were better than everyone else because of their knowledge of the text of the Old Testament. They had fallen into the trap of thinking that they had more to offer God than other people who weren’t as “holy” as they were. Though it is wise to daily look for direction and knowledge from the word of God, we must never fall in the trap of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They had all of the knowledge, but they had a heart problem. They had a love problem.
1 Corinthians 13:2 (spoken by Paul)
“If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.”
John 13:34–35 (spoken by Jesus)
“Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples…”
We must never get caught up in the trap of thinking that we have anything to offer God but our God given free will. Even our free will is “God given”. Without God we are just sinful humans destined for hell. The blood of Jesus is the only thing that makes us righteous. Yes, we are righteous in the eyes of God, but it is only by the perfect blood of Jesus that was spilled for us. God sent his perfect and only beloved son for us. Always remember this. Always have this mindset. This mindset is what keeps us humble. To think otherwise is the first step to pride and self righteousness. The only “good” thing about us is the love of God that dwells in us. The source of any good thing we can do comes from our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ. Love people because God first loved us. Love y’all! Have a great day!
Leave a Reply