The Spirit of the Pharisee and the Modern Church

Jesus had most of His trouble from religious leaders. They would often confront Him and even challenge His legitimacy as well as His sincerity, not even knowing that He was the very God that they claimed to serve. On one occasion Jesus said, "Except yopur righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (St. Matt 5:20)  One of Jesus most condemning sermons  was aimed at the religious leaders as He consistantly said to them, "Woe unti ye Scribes and Pharisees, HYPOCRITES!!!"  

The religious leaders were also judgmental to everyone else because they were wrapped up in their self-righteousness. They felt that because they kept the laws better than anyone else that they were "Better" than everyone else. Unfortunately that same spirit is in many churches today. People feel like they are better than other Christians because they keep the "rules" better than others. But they fail to observe the sin of "self-righteousness"

The bible says, "By grace are ye saved, through faith: and not that of  yourselves..., Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8). We are saved because of His grace!!! We cannot save ourselves, we must accept Him as our Lord & Savior.

I have heard people say that He is the God of a 2nd chance. But I disagree. We messed up the 2nd chance long ago. But no matter how mnay times we fail or sin, if we repent Hhe is the God of another chance. Thank God for His mercy!!!

We should also be merciful to one another, pray for one another, encourage one another, and be helpers one to another. For such is the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus does not make me better than any one. But because of Christ I am better off.