Pharisee Complex

Jonathon Swift once said, “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”

As Christians we sometimes fall into the trap of having a Pharisee complex that compels us to pass judgement and condemnation on others. We look at Christ’s commandment to love our neighbours as ourselves and somehow the “your neighbour” part disappears and we are left with “love yourselves.” Because that is what we are doing when we hold ourselves as morally superior to those around us-placing ourselves on a pedestal that has the words “stone launching pad” engraved on the bottom.

What is the purpose of this behaviour? Could it be that by tearing others down we are lessening our own guilt for the sin that is not outwardly evident? Sorry to break it you darlin’, but God already has that sin duly noted and is waiting for you to get on that before it festers into a stinky mess.

I think we have redefined the meaning of the word “sin” so that it constitutes only grave offences such as murder, robbing, adultery, lying, etc. The literal translation of the word “sin” is to “miss the mark.” Whose mark? God’s. Not yours, not your family’s, not your church’s. God’s. All of God’s commandments are centered on one tenet-love. Whether to love Him or His children, the message remains.

It is as if we are playing a round of Who is Holier and we are running out of categories so we have to invent new ones: Church Dressing 101, Appropriate Manifestations of Worship, How to Show Agreement During A Sermon. There is a word for describing when we are more worried about the do’s and don’ts and maintaining the outward appearance of holiness, and that word is legalism. Yes, I said it. LEGALSIM.

Does it really matter if Jenny is wearing a sleeveless dress? That David isn't wearing a suit jacket? Or that there are instruments that require a power source? I know, I know, there are a lot of rhetorical questions there, but using my favourite Grey’s Anatomy quote- “SERIOUSLY?”

Who needs a prince when you have a King?

This clip had me doing a "Hallelujah Dance" around my basement. All I have to say is AMEN BROTHER! He is my King, my everything.



From Dr. Shadrach Meshach (S.M.) Lockridge's famous sermon:

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He's the King of Israel. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. I wonder...Do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define his limitless love. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the peak of civilization. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior. I wonder if you know Him today.

He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager. I wonder if you know Him.

He's the key to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?Well, His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you.

Yes, He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your head. You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. I wonder if you know Him.