Replacing the Pharisees
The know-it-alls didn't.
Without any gilding of the lily Jesus hammered the loveless and self-righteous Pharisees. In one of many searing lessons to the religious leaders, He explained their failure at the three most important functions of the written law...
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. (Matthew 23:23)
They were derelict in their duty to deliver:
- justice,
- mercy,
- faithfulness.
The experts weren't experts after all, only in their proud minds.
BUT... the converted Pharisee Paul had learned and lived better.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Saint Paul taught the three most important points of living (not law) are:
- faith
- hope and
- love.
The law failed in its three intentions. It could never provide that which is both needed and better - faith, hope and love.
So what happened between the teaching of the Pharisees and the teaching of Paul? Jesus had cancelled the written code. The Apostle Paul had literally seen the light, for Jesus had died and intervened:
when Jesus rose He replaced keeping the law with learning His love.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"As the grave is never satisfied so too the spirit of unforgiveness." ~ Michael Cartwright
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ENJOY ~ FACING OFF THE PHARISEES