Recently I heard someone for whom I have great respect say that they did not want to attend a great majority of churches because they basically offered “fire and brimstone preaching.” They are not alone in having this sentiment. Many have stopped attending church because they felt that the messages were heavy on judgement and light on mercy, love and justice. Indeed, this is problematic.
On the other hand, one should not want to attend a church that only preaches on social reform/social justice, but has no word on immoral behaviors and patterns of living. Either extreme is dangerous. In our text for today, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for straining to adhere to the “letter of the law,” while ignoring the “spirit of the law.”
In other words, the Lord does not want hollow worship, empty religion or religiosity, hypocrisy manifested with “loud hosannas” from individuals with hardened and untransformed hearts. While chiding false religion, at the same time Jesus upheld the legitimacy of the law… “this ye ought to have done and not left the other undone.” Balance in preaching is necessary. We are called upon to preach the “whole scroll.” In other words, God calls his mouth pieces to preach the “unadulterated Gospel.” Yes, we are called to speak truth to power, to stand in the gap for the widow, the orphan, the poor, the defenseless. Yes we are called to confront the bastions of racist and oppressive structures. Yes we are called to tell modern day pharaohs, “Let my people go!!!”
But we are also called to tell a dying world that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We are also called to tell the lost that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. We are also called to tell the wayward, there is a way that seems right unto a man but the end thereof is death.
While the Civil Rights Movement forced America to look at and legislatively change its ugly, oppressive and violent ways, it neglected to take moral arguments beyond civil actions to holy living. Unfortunately, some of the same leaders that marched and fought for civil rights became what they claimed to despise. Some of our same revered prophets, preachers and teachers became oppressive. Some became womanizers. Some fathered children outside of marriages, having women in every city on every stop. Some oppressed women in other ways, refusing to acknowledge their call to preach or to stand out front with the rest. Some became elitists, gathering the “spoils” from the war, moving up to higher heights, not lifting as they climbed, building dynasties for their families while others looked on eating crumbs. Families were broken, children were abandoned, marriages were ruined, communities were stagnated. Satan laughed…
“This ye ought to have done…” Stand for what is right. Fight for righteous causes. Practice what you preach. Speak truth to power. Lift as you climb. “…and not left the other undone…” Tell the world about Jesus! Let the lost know that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement…If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
Remember, we will give an account for the things done in our bodies and every word that we have uttered. Remember, that to whom much is given much is required.
Be thou faithful unto death and God will give you a crown of glory! Dear prophet, keep standing on the wall!
Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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