January 23, 2020

January 23
Running with Jesus 2015

Luke 6:7 "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him."

Today let's examine our lives. The question is, “Are you really born again or just religious?”  Philippians 2:12b says ...."continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling". We are to take this salvation business serious. Another text tells us that we are saved by grace through faith not works however works are the evidence that we have faith. We see those scribes and Pharisee's running right along with Jesus watching to find some reason to stop Him!  The scribes were writers and interpreters of Jewish law. The Pharisee's were one of the ruling parties in the Sanhedrin court, who later helped crucify Christ. I heard one say the lesson we learn from Jesus about them was never be like them. They were self-righteous and even added their laws to the Laws of God placing themselves above the laws of God. Now they were very religious, attended every service, prayed and fasted, and they didn't go or run with people they believed were "sinners". The problem was they never came to the knowledge they were sinners. We cannot be born again until we understand we are in need of a Savior, to deliver us from the penalty of sin. They were very judgmental of others because they used themselves to measure righteousness. We should use Jesus to measure ourselves. We can be religious and split hell wide open! We need to see if we are true runners of Christ. You can say all day you are a runner of Christ but never get on the track that will make you one. The religious will run right along beside Jesus in this life and will appear to be a disciple. The test will be where will you be after this life. So work out your salvation with fear and trembling! Show me your faith by your works! If you don't work for His kingdom, you better do a self check! You were saved to do good works. God looks at man’s heart not his outward appearance. The Pharisees and Scribes had position and power inside the government and were used to help keep Jewish law among the people. The power and position helped them miss out on knowing Christ. Are you in a position of power and enjoy making the rules over the Word of God. Being in position at church does not make you a Christian. You can be in church twenty-four/seven, hold office, teach Sunday School and tithe and not know Christ! So examine your heart, do you really know Christ or have you just been churched? The Scribes and Pharisees are examples of "being churched"! 

Father, today with fear and trembling we ask You to examine our hearts. Help us discern if we really know You! Help us not seek power or position. Help us find ways to take up a servant role in our lives. Today we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand. 

Uh-oh, Jesus heals a man on the sabbath in the morning! The Pharisee's are lurking in the background!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015