Fault Finders Mark 7:1-8 The religious leaders of Christs day found fault with His disciples because they did not ascribe great importance to the traditions that the scribes and Pharisees held so dear. The religious leaders had great concern for outward displays of piety (vv.1-4); however, they were teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (v.7). They elevated their own particular applications of biblical principles to the level of Scriptures itself. How easy it is for us as Christians to find fault, like the Pharisees, with those who do not emphasize the same extrabiblical issues that we find to be important. A carnal and hypocritical testimony will characterize one who replaces the plain and central truths of Scripture with the peculiar ideas, ceremonies, and traditions of men. Unlike the religious leaders of Jesus day who were far more concerned with clean pots and pans (vv.3-5) than with clean hearts and fidelity to God (v.6), we must contend for that which the Lord deems to be important, not our own pet topics. And many other such like things ye do (v.8). False piety is often based upon the misapplication of a biblical text. For example, the heretical traditions and liturgies of the Catholic sacraments and many of the peculiar beliefs of just about every cult imaginable are the result of misunderstood and misapplied Bible passages. The legalism that plagued the early church and that still affects some Bible-believing circles today stems from opinions and legislated practices that are not actually based upon a proper understanding and application of the Word of God (Col.2:20-23); 1 Tim. 4:1-5; Rom.14:1-5). When you say, Because the Bible says so! be sure that it really does.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 22:07:21 +0000
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