Learning from Other People’s Mistakes
February 19, 2016
Ephesians 5:1-2a “Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others.”
As you read through the gospels, you cannot help but be amazed by the grace and kindness of Jesus. Yet, His boldness and audacity are equally amazing. Jesus was not afraid of confrontation. The majority of his conflicts seemed to take place with the Pharisees. He calls the Pharisees hypocrites, white washed tombs, and blind guides. Why did Jesus and the Pharisees have so many disagreements? What can we learn from their many mistakes? First, we learn that outward actions of religion do not necessarily equal a relationship with God. The Pharisees were models of piety. Yet, all their religious activity was fake. Jesus calls them “whitewashed tombs” because their beautiful outward appearance covered the emptiness of their inward lives. In similar fashion, Christians can fall into this same trap. We do all the right things and say all the right words, but ultimately it is all show. We are dead and empty on the inside. It is crucial that are religious activity be the overflow of our love relationship with Christ. Second, the Pharisees’ lack of mercy and compassion bothered Jesus. The Pharisees were more concerned about the technicalities of the law than the condition of people. They often missed the miracles of healing and forgiveness due to their own legalism. Again, Christians are tempted to make the same mistake. Often our religious activity can be divorced from our love for God and love for people. If our faith begins to make us increasingly impatient and insensitive, we may need to examine who we are following. Scripture is clear: the fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.”
— Rev. Brandon Dasinger/Teaching Pastor and Director of Missions
As you read through the gospels, you cannot help but be amazed by the grace and kindness of Jesus. Yet, His boldness and audacity are equally amazing. Jesus was not afraid of confrontation. The majority of his conflicts seemed to take place with the Pharisees. He calls the Pharisees hypocrites, white washed tombs, and blind guides. Why did Jesus and the Pharisees have so many disagreements? What can we learn from their many mistakes? First, we learn that outward actions of religion do not necessarily equal a relationship with God. The Pharisees were models of piety. Yet, all their religious activity was fake. Jesus calls them “whitewashed tombs” because their beautiful outward appearance covered the emptiness of their inward lives. In similar fashion, Christians can fall into this same trap. We do all the right things and say all the right words, but ultimately it is all show. We are dead and empty on the inside. It is crucial that are religious activity be the overflow of our love relationship with Christ. Second, the Pharisees’ lack of mercy and compassion bothered Jesus. The Pharisees were more concerned about the technicalities of the law than the condition of people. They often missed the miracles of healing and forgiveness due to their own legalism. Again, Christians are tempted to make the same mistake. Often our religious activity can be divorced from our love for God and love for people. If our faith begins to make us increasingly impatient and insensitive, we may need to examine who we are following. Scripture is clear: the fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.”
— Rev. Brandon Dasinger/Teaching Pastor and Director of Missions