Strong Words

Lk. 16:14-15

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

 

In Matt. 5:20 Jesus said that unless your righteousness exceeded that of the Pharisees, you would not enter the kingdom of heaven. Interestingly enough, the Pharisees did have a righteousness, but one that was filled with themselves and their fleshly desires. Matt. 5 also revealed that they had misinterpreted the law and made it to fit their schemes. They exacted obedience to their man-made laws and put other people in bondage and blinded them to the truth of God. They loved to pray in public for others to see, and at the same time, use their prayers as a means to judge others. Hypocrisy was the name of their game! All they did was for outward show, praise of men, status and position, power and money, and control of other people. Where was the love of God that Moses taught in Deut. 6:4-6? As Jesus said they had left out the weightier matters of the Law and substituted their man-made traditions instead. As if these issues were not bad enough, Jesus attacked them again. In this passage, they were lovers of money. [A love which is the root of all evil.] Could it have been the root of all their problems and evil actions? Jesus had just said that no man can serve two masters; therefore, they could not serve God and money. Instead of conviction or repentance, they ridiculed Jesus. What evil, hard hearts they had! However, it looks like Jesus definitely had the final word. You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Huge burn!! But oh so true. Jesus is all about the heart, the true essence of a person. What is in my heart? Am I harboring things that are hindering the Spirit of God? Do I live with the knowledge that God knows my heart constantly in whatever I say,think, feel, or do?

 

Father,

Keep exposing what is in my heart. Give me Your grace so that my heart is submissive and repentant  to what You reveal.

In Jesus name,

Amen