I Sin A Little

Don’t Be A Pharisee

Pharisees are one of the biggest problems in the church.

What is a pharisee? 

Well a pharisee is a person who practices religion and acts just like the pharisees in the Bible.

They think they are saved by Works. Even if they won’t admit it. They think they are better than others. They believe they do not sin. And they try to force others to follow the same rules they obey. They usually try to control churches, families and people.

They crucified Jesus, because He didn’t obey their rules, and they didn’t want to lose control. They were envious of his growing ministry.

These same people would crucify Him again if He came into your church today.

I’m sure someone is coming to your mind as I describe a pharisee.

These people need saved. They are in a tough place. They practice self-righteousness but we are not saved by our own righteousness.

They are the Elder Brother. God wants them saved also. But, Jesus warned us to not be like them. Their works based doctrine will spread throughout, and ruin you. It’s like leaven. It only takes a little to puff us up. That’s pride. Pride comes because you think you are saving yourself. (Matt 23, Matt. 16:5-12)

So, I ask these people. “Do you sin?”

Which if they know the Bible, they have to admit they do. 1 John 1:8 says, .”If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth (Jesus) is not in us.”

So, they say. “Yes, but I try to only sin a little”

To which I say, “James says, that if you try to keep the law and fail on one point you’ve broken the whole law.” ( James 2:10)

Then, they usually try to say, that they love God.

But Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.”(John 14:15)

And this leads into a conversation on whether humans can truly love God. 

We can’t.  We have a corrupted nature. it’s only through the Holy Spirit that we can love God and others to the level God desires.

I don’t say these things to be a jerk or make things hard. It’s really quite simple. We can’t do it, and need Jesus, even after we are saved.

This brings me to the point.

We are saved BY grace THROUGH faith, not by Works, lest any man should boast (pride) Eph. Chapter 2.

The works we do are done by the Holy Spirit, in us and through us. Our own works are as filthy rags. (Isa 64:6) (Even our love. We are not saved by our love.)

Understand that we do nothing to save ourselves. Even thinking we do, is a sin. Pride.

The best we can do is turn to God (repent) and fall on our faces praying “have mercy on me a sinner” as Jesus said. (Luke 18:9-14)

We ask Him to save us and we confess Him as Lord, then through faith we trust Him and let Him build our faith, and grow our relationship with Him.

Our “works” change. We no longer worry about sin. Our sin was washed in His blood and cleansed when we confess. We confess our sins to Him and He washes our feet.

Our works become abiding in Him, letting Him grow us, serving and loving Him and others, building the Kingdom and getting people saved.

Again, all of this is done by HIM, through us.

We are vessels.  

Do not be a pharisee. You are no better than the worst sinner. You are just saved. Remember this. 

We are just like the Thief on the Cross. One step above death.

Beware the leaven of the Pharisees. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

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