Today's Passage - Luke 20:45-47

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 20:45-47   While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.'   When the Lord was on the earth, He often rebuked the Pharisees and scribes.  Pharisees were the religious leaders who were highly respected in the society.  They served God diligently and their motive was good, but they didn't follow God's way to accomplish God's work.  For example, they liked to pray for a long time out on the street; they did not do it intentionally, but that was the environment and custom back then.  They religiously followed the rules and also mandated others to do the same; if anyone doesn't follow, they rebuked them.   The problem with the Pharisees is that they turned God's law into dogmatic regulations and legalistic rules.  They can't set anyone free, and they even become bondage on people.  Lord taught us here that we need to guard again the spirit of Pharisees and scribes; we may not be praying for a long time on the street, but we may be bound by the spirit of Pharisees and scribes in our heart.   The spirit of Pharisees and scribes is the spiritual of self-righteousness, feeling that they are better than any others.  Many churches throughout generations have fallen into this trap, thinking that they are the most spiritual or even the only church, the only bride of Christ.  They might feel that they are better than others, but in fact we are all the church of Christ, and the body of Christ.  Ephesians 3:6 says: "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."  On the other hand, many believers think that they are more spiritual than others; they get up early to do devotions, serve in the church, tithe, have a wonderful family life, etc....  They think that they must be doing the right things, so God is treating them well.  Actually, the reason we become God's children is because of the Lord's grace, and there's nothing we can boast about.   Brothers and sisters, what is the condition of your spirituality?  May God give us a broadened heart so that we may accept people who are different from us in different ways.  May God remove the spirit of Pharisees and scribes inside us, and let us not criticize others by our standard.  Let the acceptance and mercy of the Lord move within us, and let the home and church of God become the place where God's grace and love freely flow.     Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please help us to remove the spirit of self-righteousness and to use the love of acceptance of Christ to accept everyone around us, and let everyone experience your own vast love.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!