=============================================
SEEKING THINGS ABOVE
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1)
Volume II Number 7
October 2021
=============================================
I Just Wear the Clothes
Mike Johnson
Many years ago, I was in a part of Tennessee with a rather sizable Amish population, which had resulted in a lot of tourism in the area. While there, I went into a store and noticed all the workers were wearing traditional Amish clothing. At some point, I had a friendly conservation with the owner of the business, who wore the same type of attire as the others. I do not remember what prompted this admission, but I will never forget what he revealed as we talked. He said, “I’m not really Amish; I just wear the clothing — it’s good for business.” I can understand why he wore what he did but was still taken back upon learning that his garb was just a costume!
Thinking about this story over the years, I have concluded that some Christians are like this business owner as they only play a role. The Bible describes such people as hypocrites, who Jesus extensively condemned during his earthly ministry. The Greek word translated “hypocrisy” originally referred to playing a character in a Greek drama. The actor, usually wearing a mask, would pretend to be someone other than himself. The Biblical use of the term also involves the idea of people pretending to be someone they are not. They wear the right “clothing,” i.e., they give the appearance of being faithful, devoted Christians. Outwardly, they are religious but inwardly insincere and unrighteous. Consider some ways people can be hypocritical today.
Good Acts for the Wrong Reason
Obedience to God for the wrong reason is unacceptable. Consider three areas in which this can happen.
- Charitable Deeds — Matthew 6:1-4 says, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” He says to not “sound a trumpet” when you do a charitable deed, i.e., do not draw attention to yourself. If we do that, we have already received our reward, which is the applause of others, and we will not receive a reward from God.
When we perform a charitable deed, our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing. This expression is not to be taken literally, as our hands do not know anything. With this expression, Jesus continues to show that helping others is not to be done for show. If we do this, we have no reward” from God. Doing good deeds is proper; doing them to be seen by others makes us hypocrites.
- Prayer — Hypocrisy can also happen with prayer. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus stated, “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” From what is understood, many Jews prayed just when there was a large crowd, such as at a busy intersection or another public place. Prayer is great, and Jesus is not condemning it. Instead, He criticizes praying for the wrong motives, i.e., praying to be seen by men. But, again, those who pray with this motive have already received their reward. The reward of these hypocrites would only be the praises of others.
- Fasting — In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus taught, “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” It seems that people wanted to look like they had been fasting and doing so for a long time. They wanted to look disheveled and might even put ashes on their face for effect. Then when asked what was wrong, they could tell others about having fasted. Jesus said this was not the way to do things as the only person that mattered knowing what they had been doing was God.
Today, when we obey God, we must make sure our motives are right. Obedience to God is not for show. Following God for the wrong reasons makes us hypocrites. Others may find out about the good we have done, but that is not why we are doing these things. It only matters that God knows about it.
Judging Others With a Different Standard
Matthew 7:1-5 is a very well-known passage. Here Jesus taught, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
To begin with, consider what this passage is not saying. Some feel it means that one person should never tell another they are guilty of sin, i.e., any kind of rebuke or reproof is wrong. According to some, if we tell people they are wrong, we are guilty of judging, which Jesus here condemns. However, many passages elsewhere tell us that Christians are to go and correct the erring so they can be saved (Gal. 6:1; James 5:18-19; 2 Tim. 4:1-4, etc.). Judging would also be required to obey what verse 6 says about not giving what is holy to “dogs” or “pearls” to swine. Also, judging would be necessary for determining who is a false prophet, as we are told to do in verse 15. Jesus said later (Jn. 7:24), “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” This verse shows us there is an incorrect way and a correct way to judge.
What kind of judgment is under consideration here? He is speaking of hypocritical judging. A person may have a “plank” in his eye, a great fault, i.e., something easy to see. Another may have a “speck,” which would involve something small and very difficult to see. The verses picture the person with the plank trying to remove a speck from the other person’s eye. A person, for example, rebukes someone for a sin he is practicing himself, even to a greater degree. Or, it could involve a person being guilty of a sin, which has a smaller impact on others than the one he is practicing. Both sins are serious — both the plank and the speck need to be removed (7:5).
Pretending Outward Purity
While denouncing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day, Jesus used two metaphors in Matthew 23:25-28. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Imagine getting a bowl out of the cabinet and quickly putting food into it without looking close. When you are almost finished, you notice that the bowl is filthy. Also, tombs might be beautiful on the outside, but in reality, they are places where human remains lie. These Pharisees were like the outside of the dish and tomb. Outwardly, they exuded purity — inwardly, they were full of corruption and sin. They pretended to be righteous, but they were hypocrites.
Outward appearance needs to match our actual character. We should not praise God on Sunday but curse man on Monday. We should not sing, “Have Thy Own Way Lord,” on Sunday morning, but then let the world have its way throughout the week. We should not sing “I Want to Be a Soul Winner for Jesus Everyday” at the assembly and never mention Him to others outside the meeting house.
This following riddle, in one form or another, is generally attributed to Abraham Lincoln. “How many legs does a dog have if you call its tail a leg? Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” Similarly, calling people Christians does not make them one.
Conclusion
Other forms of hypocrisy might be cited (Mt. 15:6-9). However, hypocrisy, regardless of what form it takes, must be avoided. Sadly, many people practice what is sometimes identified as a “church building religion,” which is a religion only practiced within the four walls of the building. Christians assemble to receive encouragement and teaching (Heb. 10:24-25). However, it is necessary to go out and practice what is learned (James 1:21-22). It might be stated, “The person who is not a Christian everywhere is not a Christian anywhere.”
Jesus frequently condemned hypocrites. We should make sure that we do not fall into that category. We must not simply put on the “clothes” of Christianity or merely wear a “mask” of righteousness.
Many years ago, there was a sign on a wall in the barbershop where I got my hair cut. It said, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” How would you answer this question?
__________
How Long Is This Line?
Bobby Graham
____________________
Would you care to guess or speculate how long this line is? The answers would likely vary. Some would underestimate its length, while others would overestimate it. It is possible that a few might guess its exact length, but their answer would still be a guess in the absence of specific measurement. Regardless of one’s sincerity, honesty, or fervor in attempting the answer, a wrong answer would still be incorrect. It would not be made acceptable by one’s sincerity. No answer would be either right or wrong because of who provided it; correctness does not depend upon such considerations. The correct answer must be determined by using a standard of measurement acceptable to all. If some reject the standard while others accept it, there will never be agreement. Mere lip-service paid to the need for some standard or to a particular standard will not suffice. All involved must accept the standard to the point they use it.
Would you care to guess or speculate about whether one must be baptized to be saved or when the Lord’s Supper should be eaten, or whether lying is moral? The answers would likely vary. Some would answer one way, while others would respond differently. It is possible that some might answer correctly, but their answer would still be human wisdom if not based upon the teaching of God’s Word. Regardless of one’s sincerity, honesty, or fervor, a wrong answer would still be wrong; and practice based on a wrong answer would still be unacceptable to the Lord. No answer is right or wrong because of the person giving it; acceptance with God does not depend upon one’s person (name, identity). The correct answer must be determined by using the only divine standard of measuring beliefs and practices—the “one faith” of Ephesians 4:4. If some reject the standard while others embrace it, there will never be agreement or unity. Mere lip service paid to the need for some standard or to a particular standard will not suffice. Many pay such lip service to Jesus as their standard, but they don’t want to practice what He taught. “And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, but do not do the things that I say” (Lk. 6:46)? All involved must accept the standard to the point that they use it.
I Thessalonians 5:21-22– “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”
Via Market Street Bulletin
Athens, AL
__________
False Standards
Mike Johnson
Why is there so much division and confusion today in the religious world? Why are there so many different doctrines and so many religious groups? One reason is that many have never received teaching or have never learned the importance of Bible authority. Some may acknowledge the need for guidance from the Bible, but they only pay “lip service” to Bible authority when all is said and done. When people do not follow the same standard (God’s Word), division and confusion are certain.
All authority rests in three areas. There is internal human authority, external human authority, and divine authority. God intends for us to receive guidance by divine authority (Col. 3:17, 1 Thess. 2:13). Divine authority originates with God, is centered in Christ, and is recorded and revealed in the Bible. Sadly, however, external and internal human authority guides many. Consider some external and internal sources of human authority commonly used today.
Feelings
Many have followed their “feelings” as a guide in religion. As long as they feel saved, they are satisfied. Questioning them about their salvation touches a tender spot because their feelings are often “sacred.” They may say as they pat their chest, “I would not give up this feeling which I have in my heart for all of the Bibles in the world.” Many people would rather die trusting their feelings instead of making a candid and honest investigation of their salvation in view of what the Bible says.
In secular matters, we know our feelings can deceive us. For example, we may feel that something is correct and later learn that it is not. Also, people may think they are in good health just before they suddenly die.
Consider two biblical examples of deceptive feelings. Jacob, in Genesis 37, was deceived into thinking that his son, Joseph, was dead. Jacob mourned as if Joseph had died. He might have said with complete sincerity, “I know how I feel.” Saul, later known as Paul, felt it was his duty to persecute Christians. He said (Acts 26:9), “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Paul was laboring under a delusion. The fact that he felt he was doing right did not make his actions right.
Various Old Testament passages show the futility of trusting our feelings as a guide for what is right and wrong in serving God. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jeremiah 17:9 teaches, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” People cannot depend on their hearts to lead them in the right way. Finally, Proverbs 28:28 says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”
Consider religious people (such as the Jews and Muslims) who do not believe that Jesus is the son of God. Are they saved? They, no doubt, feel they are. Yet in John 8:24, Jesus said, “...for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” These people may feel saved, but that does not mean they are. Likewise, if feelings are not evidence of salvation for Jews and Muslims, they are not evidence of salvation for Methodists, Baptists, and Pentecostals.
How can we have assurance about salvation or anything else we might believe? Our feelings can be fickle—one day, we might believe one thing; another day, something else. God’s Word assures us. It is our safe and steady standard. 1 John 5:13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. John also wrote (1 Jn. 2:3), “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” It does not matter how we “feel” about our salvation. God’s Word is essential in this matter. Can we determine from the Scriptures that we have obeyed the Lord? It does not matter how we feel; what matters is what God says. “Feelings” are produced by evidence; they are not evidence for salvation. It is indeed foolish for one to trust his feelings concerning his salvation.
Conscience
Others use their conscience as their standard of authority. They might say, “Just let your conscience be your guide.” This approach, however, cannot be a correct standard as a person can have a good conscience and yet be in sin. Some can steal and kill with a good conscience.
Consider the case of Paul. Paul, before his conversion, was a persecutor of Christians, and during this time, he had a good conscience. In Acts 23:1, he said, “…Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” As we noted earlier, according to Acts 26:9, he pointed out, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Paul was following his conscience, but he was wrong.
If conscience alone is the correct standard, then there are as many standards as there are people. A conscience may be programmed incorrectly, and thus a person could have a good conscience and still be in sin. Undoubtedly, the conscience, by itself, is not a correct standard of authority. The Word of God needs to program our conscience.
How Much “Good” That
Something Does
Some people try and justify a practice by the good done. If asked for the authority for a particular practice their church is involved in, they respond by citing the good accomplished. This view is saying that the “ends justify the means.” They look at the good they think is achieved and assume that since “good” occurs, God must approve of what they are doing. This view attributes to God man’s feelings about matters, rather than looking to God’s Word as the authority.
Consider a few Old Testament events. God told Saul, a king of Israel, to destroy the Amalekites completely (1 Sam. 15). Saul did not do this; instead, he spared their king (Agag) and the best of the animals. When questioned by Samuel, Saul said, (v. 21), “the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal. Samuel rebuked him and told him that to obey is better than sacrifice (22). Saul was saying that the ends justify the means — that it was proper to disobey if good resulted. Saul was wrong and was not justified in his disobedience, no matter how much “good” he thought he accomplished. Another example concerns Uzzah (2 Sam. 6), who was transporting the Ark of the Covenant on an ox cart during the reign of David. To begin with, he was not conveying the ark correctly. Then, when the ark arrived at Nachon’s threshing floor, the oxen shook the ark, and it was in danger of falling. Uzzah touched the ark to steady it, which was a violation of God’s command. God immediately killed him. Uzzah might have contended that his steadying the ark prevented it from crashing to the ground and that good would come because of his disobedience. However, Uzzah was wrong for touching the ark, and he paid for it with his life. The ends did not justify the means.
Instead of trying to justify a practice by pointing out the good that it does, we need to turn to a “thus saith the Lord.”
Belief of Parents
Others rely on their parents as their sources of authority in religious matters. These will not accept the truth on certain subjects because their parents did not believe that way. Admittedly, this is a wrong source of authority. We must always honor our parents; however, they may have been wrong in their beliefs and practices. We must not reject the truth simply because it is contrary to what our parents believed. Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me . . . .”
The Majority
Some people use the concept of the majority as a standard of right and wrong in religious matters. They feel that if the majority is practicing something, then it cannot be wrong. For example, they might say, “Why there are millions in the religious group that I am a part of,” or “there are many who believe as I believe.” Does the fact that a majority believes a particular thing makes it right? Is it correct to use the majority as our source of authority or to believe a certain way simply because so many others do?
It should be evident that the majority are not our standard of authority because, if it is, “truth” will change as we change locations. For example, the majority’s beliefs about a particular matter may differ in the South than in the North. Also, the views of the majority may vary from country to country. Some nations, for example, consist of populations of people who do not believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If people use the majority as their standard, they would need to change their beliefs every time they changed locations when the majority of the people in the new place believed differently than the majority in the area where they were previously. Considering the entire world, most religious people do not profess “Christianity.”
Consider a few Bible principles. Exodus 23:2 warns, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil….” Jesus, in Matthew 7:13-14, tells us this standard is wrong when he says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” In some situations, there is safety in numbers. However, this concept is not correct in spiritual matters. We must not use the majority as our source of authority.
Great and Wise Men
Denominational people often quote a religious leader or scholar to prove their point. They might then say, “Are you smarter than this person?” Sometimes innovations are brought into the church and are defended because some respected preachers from the past believed the practice was Scriptural. There is nothing wrong with examining the teaching and reasoning of various scholars on some subject and then comparing their logic to what the Scriptures say. We can learn from other people. Yet, we cannot use such people as our authority. God’s Word is our authority, and we are to stand in the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:5). Even Peter practiced error, stood condemned, and was opposed “to the face” by Paul (Gal. 2:11-21).
It is essential to understand that teachers and scholars, although knowledgeable, can be wrong. Pick almost any issue, and knowledgeable people exist on both sides. We must not allow someone to lead us astray. God’s Word, not a mere human being, is to be our authority.
What Is to Be Our Authority?
What then is to be our authority? Our authority is to be God’s Word and not the external and internal sources of human guidance listed above. The Bible is to be our guide—our standard.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 John 9 says that we must abide in the “doctrine of Christ.” We must accept the Bible and the Bible only as our source of authority. Human standards will lead us astray.
__________
Will You Still Love Me?
(Unknown)
Will you still love me if I don’t know your name,
When my eyes have failed and nothing’s the same?
When I don’t know the date or even my age,
Or what is this book and where is the page?
Will you take time to remember and cherish our past
And make our shared moments gold long as they last?
Will you hold me and touch me and wrap me in care,
And whisper reminders of the history we share?
Will you hold on to me when my Self fades away,
And you are a face from a dim yesterday?
When I want to go home and home’s where I stand,
Will you gently remind me and hold to my hand?
When I call you Mama and forget you’re my wife,
Will you tease me and kiss me and rejoice in my life?
Will you hold on to my world when I cannot see.
Will you keep a sweet thought for our used-to-be?
Will you keep family together and memories bright.
Reminding our children to seek for the right?
And when I no longer can hold up my share,
Will you still take time to show me you care?
Will you hold on to my world for me?
(by Dorothy Gast in honor of O.J. Gast)
|
__________ Give Me the TruthBill Crews
|
If you are my friend, if you are concerned about my soul, give me the truth. Do not flatter me. Do not praise my virtues while remaining silent about my vices. Do not fear the truth will offend me. Do not treasure our friendship, our friendly relations, above my salvation. Do not think that by ignoring my sins, you can help me. Do not think that being blind to my sins will prove yourself charitable. However I may react to it, whatever may be my attitude toward you after you have done it, give me the truth! For the truth, and only the truth, can make me free from the shackles of sin, strengthen me in the pathway of righteousness and lead me to the joys of heaven. If I am wavering, weak, lukewarm, indifferent, neglectful; if I have been overtaken in a trespass; if I have been drawn into the pleasures of the world; if I have left my first love; if I have been led astray by error; of if I have done not of these but simply need to grow in knowledge and to be edified . . . GIVE ME THE TRUTH!
_____________________________________________
Short Audio Messages
Mike Johnson
Sermon
Bill Hall
====================================================
Editor: Mike Johnson
www.seekingthingsabove.org