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.
Excellent post, brother!
Thank you sister for reading this, may the Lord bless your day as you teach your kids the truth!
Good message, Jim! Yes, any time we start thinking like we’re “above” others (such an easy trap to fall into), we need to remember our own need for the Savior and to love the lost.
Amen Tom! Stated very simply but profoundly; how we as Christians continue to need the Gospel even after being saved to save us from the pit of that kind of thinking!
Love this,Slim. We do like to swing from one extreme to the other, always pointing fingers along the way. I like that tax collector in Luke 18:13, the one who, “beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ That’s the spirit. 🙂
Amen, that’s the spirit. Luke 18 is such a vivid parable thanks for sharing that sister.
Great post!
You’re welcome! May the Lord bless you Pastor
God bless you too!!!:-)
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog! I’m busy studying for tonight’s ministry so I’ll be reading your blog super late tonight by the way!
You’re very welcome Brother 👍
A little leaven, leavens the whole lump. I was in a church that tolerated a little leaven. I had the discernment to separate the chaff from the wheat. I was witnessing to a co-worker and it was going great until they asked me where I attended church. Sadly, because of the leaven, I could not recommend my own church. Then I asked myself why then am I attending this church. The Pastor would not listen and neither would his hand picked sock puppet elders. I informed the pastor that I was leaving and why. His only concern was exactly where I would go next. It was obvious that he desired to call that church in order to slander me. Who is the Pharisee now? Me, the heresy hunter, or the pastor.
Are we to boldly defend the faith within the walls of our meeting houses or not? Is our priority to protect the flock or to protect pastors?
One of the greatest things the Lord has showed me through blogging is that, although we (you, me, and others) may be of different denominations, we can still be civil to one another and actually learn from one another. I know that you don’t believe as I do on every issue and the same applies for me. However, I know that you love the Lord with all your heart as do I. Therefore, the other stuff is minor in comparison.
I agree I appreciate the fellowship with you through the blogosphere brother
Reblogged this on Averagechristiannet and commented:
I have not been able to write as many original posts as I would like, but hope that my blog might hope to point people to the good work of others. Such is this article!
Thank you brother for sharing this post!
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Pastor Jim, I really enjoyed this series and learning to be clear on the issues in both heart and mind.
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