In opposing Sadducees, do not become a Pharisee

In our sinful nature when we oppose one extreme we often be imbalance and become the opposite other extreme.  Last week I wrote, “In opposing Pharisees, do not become a Sadducee.”  I also want to address the opposite problem: In opposing Sadducees we can become a Pharisee.

But first what is a Sadducee?

This paragraph is from the previous post and serves as a reminder of what a Sadducee is.  Sadducees was one of the religious groups of the time.  According to the Bible in Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18-27 and Acts 23:8 Sadducees were known for their denial of the resurrection of the dead.  Acts 23:8 goes further to tell us that they also denied the existence of angels and spirit.   The passage also contrasted Sadducees with Pharisees in that the Pharisees believed in those things in which the Sadducees denied.  One can see from the above that Sadducees denies doctrines that are clearly biblical.

If we see any modern examples of Sadducees today they would be similar to the theological liberals who have a low view of God’s Word, denies what God teaches in His Words, etc.

There is a long history of those who hold to God’s Word speaking out against those and the views of those who have a low view of Scripture.  We must speak out as Christians against error.

Yet because of our sinful nature we can pride ourselves as being better than the Sadducees of our day.  Those who oppose error can pride themselves with their discernment abilities.  Some might see it as a badge of honor to be called a heresy hunter.  Also we can oppose those who believe that our good works doesn’t matter in the Christian life and unconsciously assume the other extreme: that our SELF-righteous works matter and we are to have that as the basis of our standing with God.  In other words we can become a Pharisee.

Brothers and sister, in opposing Sadducees, do not become a Pharisee.

So how can we not become a Pharisee in opposing Sadducees?  The Gospel is our medicine for the hour.  Confess your sins to God.  Believe the promise in 1 John 1:9 that He will forgive you and cleanse you if you confess your sins, whatever they are.  Please look it up.  He will forgive you!  And Cleanse You.  That means He will transform you from becoming a Pharisee.  But first you must confess.  Then meditate on the basis for why He forgives and cleanses you: It’s because of Jesus.  Jesus dying on the Cross.  Jesus being united with us.  Because Jesus is united with us, why should you go back to your sins of being Pharisaical?  See how much He has loved you in the works of Christ.  Let that move you; be broken of your sins that led Him to the cross.  But be also thankful with gratitude that He has saved you from your sins and that the Spirit has revealed the Gospel to you though you were once spiritually blind.  Then as you look around with the Sadducees and Pharisees among you, you as a broken sinner saved by grace will declare the Gospel as one broken sinner to another broken sinner.  You are now with the mentality of a broken-hearted evangelist, filled with love to the Sadducees.  And Pharisees.  And that is now your motivation for correcting errors: You want them to be saved.  A heart filled with love and gratitude for Christ, God and the Gospel has no room for pride and self-seeking elevation of self.