In a year where God has been re-establishing
His Divine Order; there were many areas of our lives including those within our
society that have faced repeated shakings, cleansings, readjustments and the re-establishing
of the ancient landmarks. In this year alone, many have witnessed religious
battles where people jockeyed for positions or status among select groups. Many
of these public and private skirmishes while not started by first timers or
those who did not have a clue; were actually begun by many who considered
themselves part of the religious elite.
When Jesus walked the earth,
there were many such skirmishes and inner struggles similar to those occurring
today. Three groups in particular namely the Sadducees, Pharisees and Essenes which will
be discussed in this particular message. According to information shared on the
Jewish Virtual Library site, “the most important of the three were the
Pharisees because they are the spiritual fathers of modern Judaism” (Jewish
Virtual Library). In addition, the Pharisees believed in and adhered to the Law
of God as passed down to His servant Moses. The Sadducees as the second group have
been described as the “elitists who wanted to maintain the priestly caste”
(Jewish Virtual Library). Also to note, the Sadducees differed in their
perspective from the Pharisees because their main focus was on the written law
namely the Torah as their foundational source for wisdom. The last of these
three groups is known as the Essenes, who “believed the others had corrupted
the city and the Temple”
(Jewish Virtual Library). In light of their views, the Essenes left what they
considered to be these “unholy cites” and took up residence far “away from the
world” (Ross, Allen). To learn more about
these particular groups just click on the reference links.
As this natural year comes to a
close and while the Sovereign Father yet continues to align and redirect His people back
to flowing in sync with His heartbeat, the question that one may ask; is when
Father’s divine order is fully operating according to plan will any of the doctrines, policies or personal
perceptions of any of these groups matter in the eyes of the very one who
created and established the earth? The answer to this question is “No,
of course not.”
During Jesus' time one of the many
lessons he taught his disciples concerned two of the main groups discussed. The Pharisees and Sadducees seemed to always be
in direct opposition to his teachings. In Matthew 16:5-7 Jesus gave his
disciples this direct warning “When they went across
the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your
guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because
we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their
discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among
yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand?
Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many
basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the
four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How
is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on
your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard
against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.”
While the dictates of religion
can sometimes be cruel, as children of the living and Most High God, it is imperative
that we must not allow ourselves to get caught up with any group that seeks to
argue or even seek to make the word of God of no effect. The bible teaches us in
Isaiah 55:8-11“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come
down from heaven, and do not return to it without
watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the
eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve
the purpose for which I sent it.” So when others seek to
discredit the word of God, it’s not necessary for you jump into religious battles
trying to defend the word. Just speak the word, pursue peace and then allow the
word to go forth to accomplish the
Father’s purpose in the earth. If the Father
is at peace concerning His own word, then surely Disciples of Christ should be too.
The time has arrived for the true
Disciples of Christ to arise and stand upon the firm foundation, the rock in
which the church was built upon. It’s time to learn how to persevere, keep the
faith and stand strong in the midst of religious critics. The Lord is soon to
return so it is important to choose now which group you want to be associated
with.
If this message has ministered to
you in any way please take a moment to pause and ask the Father to forgive you
for any of the times you may have allowed yourself to operate outside His will
in a religious manner. Rest assured you are not
alone. Many others have been this way before as well. Just know that now your sins are
forgiven and Father desires to pour out His love afresh upon you at this very moment.
This is the time for new wine to be poured into the new wineskins. But in order
to partake of this tremendous blessed opportunity, you must be free of religion
and open to allow the Spirit of God free course and room to flow unhindered in
your life.
Blessings, as you embark upon your new journey in Christ
References:
Jewish Virtual Library
Ross, Allen,. The Essenes
The Pharisees
The Sadducees
Die Religion Die (Poem)
Cast
down your pride and your old mindsets, our God is a living God
and He deserves our very best.
God is not concerned if you can two step in place, or even when
and He deserves our very best.
God is not concerned if you can two step in place, or even when
you’re fasting that you wear a down cast face.
God is not looking for people who feel comfortable in a mold. He called
us as servants and His word has called for us to be bold.
He called us as witnesses to be lights upon a hill, not to be religious
God is not looking for people who feel comfortable in a mold. He called
us as servants and His word has called for us to be bold.
He called us as witnesses to be lights upon a hill, not to be religious
puppets
seeking man and not Him for His will.
We must gather together as God's chosen people and prepare for our
We must gather together as God's chosen people and prepare for our
battle cry. No more business as usual, as we shout to the world,
Die Religion Die.
Copyrighted 2005 Arnita L. Fields
Published in Rescued, Restored, Renewed & Revived, 2006
Copyrighted 2005 Arnita L. Fields
Published in Rescued, Restored, Renewed & Revived, 2006
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