Category: religious tradition

Reaping and Sowing #10

Friday, May 30, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Two more excellent cross-references to today’s Scripture (or, better yet, Galatians 6:7-9) are as follows. As before, these point to the Judgment Seat of Christ of Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, and 2 Corinthians 5:9,10—reward (stemming from good—gold, silver, precious stones) versus loss of reward (originating from bad—wood, hay, stubble).

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free” (Ephesians 6:5-8). “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:22-25).

These passages are directed to and are about servants (employees) in the secular world, indeed, but they are just as applicable to all of us Christians because we in the spiritual world are God’s servants (Romans 6:22) or the Lord’s servants (2 Timothy 2:24). It is the same grace living, the same fundamental grace principles. Again, we can sow to the flesh or sow to the Spirit, and the reaping will be proportional to it (check Galatians 6:7-9 again, plus Galatians 5:13-26 and Romans 8:1-15). There is a short-term result (victorious Christian living or death of the Christian life) as well as a long-term harvest (reward or loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ).

We now summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Reaping and Sowing #9

Thursday, May 29, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Again, the old farmers’ words of wisdom are, “We reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow, and we reap later than we sow.” Our works lead to specific ends, those ends are more multiplied than we originally supposed, and those results might not arise for a long time. This third point will be most evident at one of two judgments in the ages to come.

The first judgment on the Bible timeline will be the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10). At that time, the earthly service of the members of the Church the Body of Christ will be evaluated. What was the sort (quality, type) of the doctrine we put into our inner man? Was it gold, silver, precious stones—rightly divided Scripture? Or, was it wood, hay, stubble—empiricism/scientific method, church tradition, intuition? What men found “scholarly,” impressive, or “godly” on earth might be worth nothing at the Judgment Seat of Christ! If it was not grace teaching and grace living, it will indeed be burned up! Based on our maturity level, Christ will determine what governmental ranks we will fill in Heaven as individuals.

The other judgment is the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). At that time, all the lost souls of the ages stand before Jesus Christ—the very Christ they refused—to be sentenced to the Lake of Fire. Doubtless, there will be degrees of punishment, the severity of their penalty dependent on two factors—how much spiritual light the individual rejected (Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:22,24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12,14) and how much influence that person had in the world (Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:46,47; James 3:1).

In the natural realm, seeds planted in the ground might take many years to sprout (and this is because environmental conditions have to be just right to maximize survival). Likewise, the outcomes of our stupid choices are not readily apparent—it might take days, weeks, months, decades, or centuries. Above all, they will be fully realized either at the Judgment Seat of Christ (believers) or the Great White Throne Judgment (unbelievers)….

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 26, 2025

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

To Be Seen and Heard #7

Monday, March 24, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

In case we assume “to be seen of men” is confined to the prophetic program, we can and should refer to Paul’s epistle to Galatia. Even in the mystery program, we are vulnerable to boasting or “advertising self” by means of works-religion: “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14).

“To make a fair shew” in Greek is “euprosopeo,” as in “beautiful/good countenance/face.” An attraction is on display, and such an eye-catching sight is sure to draw attention and admiration. In the case of Galatians, it is the observance of physical circumcision in Judaism (law/Moses and grace/Paul mixed). Yet, it can also apply to any other rite, ritual, or ceremony that underscores the flesh doing something in an attempt to merit God’s favor—being water baptized, partaking of holy meals, lighting candles, confessing sins, walking aisles, attending church services, fasting, giving money, making religious gestures, and the like. Such works-religion activities become grounds for boasting, or “glorying in the flesh” (“look at what I did in religion,” or “see our new church member’s faithful performance!”). More weight is placed on men-pleasing and outward appearance (formalism) than on God’s approval and sound Bible doctrine motivating this conduct or that behavior.

When Christ saw crowds gathering around Himself, He withdrew, for He wanted His Heavenly Father to receive the praise rather than Himself (see Matthew 8:18; Mark 1:45; Luke 5:15,16). The Lord Jesus would not let Satan use even the slightest opportunity to turn something good (Father’s ministry) into something bad (Son’s praise). Perhaps we had better take notice….

To Be Seen and Heard #6

Sunday, March 23, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

According to the Sermon on the Mount, both almsgiving (Matthew 6:1-4) and prayer (Matthew 6:5,6) were useful for followers of ancient Judaism to be “seen of men” and have “glory [praise, compliments] of men.” The third realm of their pageantry was fasting, as Matthew 6:16-18 makes clear: “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

In distressful or sorrowful times, a Jew wore special grieving attire (sackcloth), abstained from anointing with oil, applied ashes to his face, and even refrained from eating flesh and drinking wine. Instead of behaving like the hypocrites who sought the praise of men, the Lord Jesus ordered His followers to not publicize their fasting. They were to anoint their head and wash their face (ashes removed): His disciples were to maintain a normal, everyday appearance, never indicating they were actually fasting.

Jesus regularly mentioned “hypocrites” during His earthly ministry (Matthew 6:2,5,16; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 15:7; Matthew 16:3; Matthew 22:18; Matthew 23:13-15,23,25,27,29; Matthew 24:51; Mark 7:6; Luke 6:42; Luke 11:44; Luke 12:56; Luke 13:15). “Hypocrite” is from Greek, and literally means “under-judge.” It is someone who appears to be someone else: spectators are unable to recognize what is going on because a disguise conceals the true identity. In fact, the ancient Greeks applied the term “hupokrites” to stage actors who wore facemasks to pretend to be characters they were not in real life!

As Christ taught (Matthew 6:1-6,16-18), far better it is to be seen and heard of God, and praised of Him, than to be seen and heard of men, and be praised of them….

To Be Seen and Heard #5

Saturday, March 22, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Christendom is obsessed with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7)—though they have no sense of its dispensational context and care not to understand it anyway because it would disprove much of what they are doing with it. At the heart of that sermon is chapter 6, which pinpoints three areas of hypocrisy in Judaism during Christ’s day.

Read verses 1-4: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Almsgiving (donating money and/or goods to help the poor and destitute) was a means whereby they could boast of their “good deeds” and make people applaud!

Now, verses 5 and 6: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Similarly, in the context of today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus referred to religious leaders in Judaism who “devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer” (Matthew 23:14). The “pretence” (cf. Mark 12:40) was nothing but “an outward showing, alleged reason, pretended cause.” Luke 20:47 calls it a “shew.” They prayed for hours in public, making sure to stand in synagogues and at street corners to maximize the amount of attention they received!

There is still more….

To Be Seen and Heard #4

Friday, March 21, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Take up the context of today’s Scripture again: “[7] And [they love] greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. [8] But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. [9] And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. [10] Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. [11] But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

You can also refer to Mark 12:38 and Luke 20:46. Israel’s apostate spiritual leaders aimed to be flattered in public. The “markets” (marketplaces, town squares) were places where crowds could utter and hear those salutations, “Rabbi, Rabbi” (“My Master/Teacher, My Master/Teacher”). Countless heads were sure to turn and offer additional admiration. (I am reminded of noticing a religious leader arriving at a funeral home and him soaking up the praise he received from the gullible “faithful.”) Also, priests in Judaism were being called “father,” a carryover from heathen idolatry (Judges 17:10; Judges 18:19). These titles led to swollen egos, which prompted Jesus to warn His audience to have humility instead of exalting self (re-read Matthew 23:11,12). Also see Matthew 18:1-4, Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45, and Luke 22:24-28.

If you thought Matthew 23:1-12 was severe, read the rest of the chapter. This diatribe features eight “woes” or rebukes and condemnations of the Perverts of the Kingdom (verses 13-16,23,25,27,29). Jesus calls them “blind” on five occasions (verses 16-17,19,24,26), “hypocrites” seven times (verses 13-15,23,25,27,29), “fools” twice (verses 17,19), “white sepulchres [tombs]” once (verse 27), and “serpents… generation of vipers” once (verse 33). Jesus is in the Jerusalem Temple, condemning its “ministers” for thoroughly perverting His nation with a manmade and man-centered religion—which religionists will ultimately insist on His crucifixion in literally just two days.

Sinful man is doing what he wants in Israel, he is at the center of attention, and he will swiftly eliminate the “competition” (the Lord Jesus Christ)….

To Be Seen and Heard #3

Thursday, March 20, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Today’s Scripture again: “But all their works they do for to be seen of men….”Their objective in Judaism in Jesus’ day was not to be seen of God, but to receive praise, recognition, approbation, or applause from their fellow humans! Several illustrations are provided. For instance, “they make broad their phylacteries.” These leather boxes held pieces of paper with Law-based Scripture on them. Such containers were attached to the forehead or left wrist with a strap. Larger phylacteries obviously meant someone was carrying many verses (“I know and obey more Bible passages than you!”). Huge phylacteries “advertised” the wearers were “more pious,” or “more religious,” than others. It was a way of bragging or flaunting self-righteousness.

Also, they would “enlarge the borders of their garments.” Mark 12:38 words it as, “Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing.” Luke 20:46 warns, “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes….” According to Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12, blue fringes or tassels served as a reminder to Israel to keep the Mosaic Law, the Old Covenant. Israel’s apostate leaders extended their fringes because they wanted to appear “more religious” or “more spiritual” than the rest. Their special clothing was ostentatious, pretentious, or “flashy.”

Moreover, as per the context of today’s Scripture, “And [they] love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,…” (Matthew 23:6). They sought to have the best or most prominent seats at banquets (cf. Mark 12:39; Luke 20:46). Read Christ’s stinging words on this selfish practice in Luke 14:7-11. They strove to occupy the foremost spaces at the synagogues—like today’s “front-row pew seekers!” Again, eminence before their peers was their goal. Those who sit closest to the pulpit seem to be the “holiest” or “godliest,” right? “Look at me, see me, observe me, watch me!” Such behavior is nothing but self-aggrandizement, the prideful desire to be at the center of attention—especially in religion.

The Lord has even more to communicate here….

To Be Seen and Heard #2

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Read today’s Scripture in context, a long speech delivered just a few days before Calvary: “[1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Chapter 23 of Matthew is one of the most scathing rebukes the Lord Jesus Christ ever issued during His earthly ministry. (John chapter 8 is another extremely offensive sermon.) He warns His listeners—both His followers and any curiosity-seekers—of the religious corruption that had overtaken Judaism. The nation Israel’s spiritual leaders seem like Moses’ successors, God’s spokesmen, but they are hypocritical. Provided they taught the pure Word of God, the unadulterated Law of Moses, they should be followed. Nevertheless, as Christ Himself pointed out, there is also a counterfeit Word of God and an imitation ministry in Israel: these perverted religious leaders are teaching their words of men and passing them off as the words of God, and they are also failing to “practice what they preach” (“they say, and do not”).

They have watered down God’s commandments with mindless religious tradition. Instead of the LORD’S laws pointing out man’s sin problem, those laws have been “supplemented” with humanistic thoughts and deeds that portray man in a more positive light. God and His precepts are not at the center of attention because man has placed the spotlight on himself. It becomes all the more serious when we recognize this has occurred in God’s nation Israel, His channel of salvation and blessing to the nations in prophecy. As long as Israel languishes in spiritual darkness, she cannot be all that the LORD intended her to be. She is thus incapable of reaching the Gentiles….

Something in Which to Glory!

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

“As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:12-14 KJV).

In what shall we glory? About what shall we boast? In what shall we find value?

Religion produces people who enjoy bragging all about their “dedication to God.” “Look what I did—the ceremonies in which I have participated, the many prayers I faithfully recited daily, how much I put in the collection plate, see how many pleasures I gave up to please God! Come, see how much I love Him!” Dear friends, the Apostle Paul found great value in something—but that something was not what he did. All that human flesh can accomplish pales in comparison to the work in today’s Scripture.

As Lent begins, the time when religionists temporarily (a mere 40 days) relinquish some pleasant food or activity, let us remember that our performance is often non-performance. Once we place ourselves on that treadmill of “do, do, do,” we are guaranteed to fail at some point. Human flesh is simply too weak to maintain 100 percent—that is sin! Even concerning one rule, we cannot keep it perfectly. We mess up eventually.

If ever we believe that our puny works are worth bragging about, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture. While some boast in their religiosity (in the passage, the Judaizers applauding their rite of physical circumcision), and such denominationalists today urge us to obey their church’s instructions so they too may boast in our ability, let us eschew such foolishness. Being imperfect, all their works do not measure up to Christ’s finished crosswork. At Calvary, we find the only sacrifice that will ever please the God of the Bible. If we must boast, let us brag that He did what we could never, ever do!

See our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians observe Lent?”