Do you remember all those “woes” that Jesus pronounced on the scribes and Pharisees?
Here are some of them, from Luke 11:42-44.
“But woe to you Pharisees!
For you tithe mint and rue and every herb,
and neglect justice and the love of God.
These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
Woe to you Pharisees!
For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Woe to you!
For you are like unmarked graves,
and people walk over them without knowing it.”
Jesus said “Woe,” and I say “Whoa.” That’s some pretty harsh stuff there.
But what I want to zero in on today is what came next, after that, from one of the lawyers who were hanging around. (Not lawyers the way we think of them today, but men who studied the Old Covenant law to figure out how to apply it to everybody’s lives.)
One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.”
Not a smart idea to speak up, buddy.
And Jesus said, “Woe to you lawyers also!”
Whoa.
“For you load people with burdens hard to bear,
and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”
“Oh my word,” says I. “This is exactly what’s going on in so many churches!” I’ve written about this kind of rank hypocrisy quite a few times, one of which is here.
Jesus absolutely and utterly condemned this hypocritical exaltation of leaders.
A few verses later He said,
“Woe to you lawyers!
For you have taken away the key of knowledge.
You did not enter yourselves,
and you hindered those who were entering.”
“The key of knowledge” [or in some versions, “learning”]. What an interesting expression.
What was the key of knowledge (or learning) that they took away?
It was making the God-life about rules instead of about life.
And where was it they were supposed to “enter”?
The God-life. The life of relationship with the Father.
So when “the kingdom of God was in their midst” in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, they couldn’t even recognize Him because of their layers upon layers upon layers of rules.
He came to bring good news. But when He used the word “gospel”—literally, “good news”—they didn’t believe Him and didn’t want to hear it.
It’s happening today too.
I’m currently working on Untwisting Scriptures to Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ: Book 6 Striving, Dying to Self, and Life. It in I talk about this life that Jesus promised, vs the one that is delivered in far too many churches today.
Preachers may use the word “gospel,” they may say that Jesus came to die on the cross for us, but often, when it comes right down to it, the “good news” you’ve been offered ends up being heavy burdens instead.
Making the Christ-life about rules instead of about life.
You have been promised good news but are led into prison.
But the true gospel really does offer good news.
Deliverance from the penalty of sin, yes. Many of these churches emphasize sin in their preaching, their songs, and their liturgy. (And often sin gets defined to whatever the leader wants to define it to be.)
Deliverance from the power of sin, which is rarely touched on in these circles.
But according to the amount of space dedicated to it in the New Testament, it appears to be even more important that you receive freedom and deliverance from keeping the law—any law—as a way to achieve godliness, as a way to reach God.
All of your righteousness, rightness with God, is achieved through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
“You have taken away the key of knowledge,” Jesus said to the lawyers. “You have not entered. And you’re trying to keep others from entering.”
Times haven’t changed a whole lot. We see this now.
But our Lord Jesus opens His hands and heart and says, “Come.”
“Come to Me, and I will give rest for your weary souls.”
In my upcoming book, Untwisting Scriptures to Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ: Book 6 Striving, Dying to Self, and Life, I’m addressing all these things in much more detail. It’s scheduled to go to my beta readers October 1st, then to a Book Launch Team in mid November (which you can join here), with a projected publication date of December 3rd.
No keeping of ANY law for staying in right relationship with God?
Not any?
No works at all?
No, none.
And lest you leap to accuse me of antinomianism, I want to assure you of my confidence that when we find all our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ alone and not through works, our hearts will become more and more aligned with His heart as He lives in us and we live in Him.
You’ll see His river spring out of you (John 7:37-39) as you look to Him, producing good works as varied as those of the saints of Hebrews 11.
Yes, this is truly good news. That’s why it’s called “the gospel.”
Whoa. It’s beautiful.
It’s called the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of human effort. I think there are people that need to read Galatians if they are acting like foolish Galatians. And modern day pharisees are frustrating.
I know all too well about making the Christian walk all about rule keeping. I’ve been in church all my life (almost 60 years now) It has always been about rule keeping, sometimes in subtle ways, others times in full blown this is what must be done to be a “good Christian” legalist way. All led to a spiritual prison! Sermon after sermon about sin! I would be lifted up by songs about God’s love for me only to be beaten back down by sermons on how much of a sinner I am. I left the church not because I wanted to but because I had to for my own mental health. What once brought me life (the word of God) was so twisted by so-called spiritual leaders that they now brought death. BUT GOD! He has been faithful to me! He has led me to people like you and others that have helped me see that it is about a walk, a life, a journey full of love and grace. Those scriptures that were used against me now bring life to me! Woe to those who twist scripture to manipulate and control others! Praise to God who is able to keep me in His perfect will! Who is my righteousness!
Amen!
“I left the church not because I wanted to but because I had to for my own mental health.”
Oh boy, can I EVER relate to that! I talk about this subject a good bit at my own blog, in case anyone’s interested: oasisfortheabused.wordpress.com
Yes! My husband and I are among the “none’s” and “done’s,” because virtually every church we have attended uses some form of Checklist Christianity, and we just can’t play that game anymore.
Many years ago I attended a church where the pastor never once told us what we should do. He very simply, beautifully revealed the heart of God and His longing to sow His love and grace into our lives. That soft-spoken man made it clear that we could trust Him to heal us and lead us in our individual lives. As a result, I came to know Jesus as my best friend and the lover of my soul. The Spirit lovingly changed me from the inside out – not the church.
As soon as anyone tells me, “You just need to…” I’m out.
So true! Thank you for sharing this part of your story, and how I wish there would be many, many pastors like that one!
Whoa Nelly!
I would never accuse you of antinomianism. I can’t even say it and now have to look that term up!!!
Love your writing!
You made me laugh out loud! I assure you, people who believe as I do are accused of antinomianism all the time.
I drink in your words of life every time I read your writings. After suffering under lies, the truth is truly the bread of life.
It really is! Praise the Lord for that!
Thank you for this. When we were “hated out” of our church after 23 years and we did not attend anywhere for awhile, I kept being reminded that Jesus said, ” I have come that they might have life, and have that life abundantly”. Without the constraints and rules of the church (attend 3x a week, have a ministry–or 2 or 3, make sure your children obey and ‘look good” (especially if you want to be in any ministry leadership like teaching and not just the nursery) smile and be encouraging (even if you hurt) etc.) my life was more free and abundant. I could see God’s love and not just judgement and I became more loving and less judgmental Woe to the churches and pastors who continue to bind!
Excellent!
Rebecca, this is a lot like your ‘striving’ vs ‘resting’ article which I loved! We behold him first… then comes the striving out of gratitude, love, and joy! Best, Jane
Ah yes! The “Striving” vs “Resting” is going into my next book, along with “Dying to Self”!