October 10
John 6:22-71; Mark 7:1-23; Matthew 15:1-20
Meditate for a moment on this section of Scripture in Psalm 19:7-9, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." Do you find anything ambiguous in this? Is this anything but straightforward? Now the real question for everyone to ponder in their own hearts, is whether or not we accept the concept of absolute truth. God has said that His Word is truth. His Word also never changes. His Word is a thermometer which is set by God in each and every surrounding. It is not a barometer which adjusts to the temperature of the surrounding. In our world of cancel culture, we may be thrust out of social or professional circles, but are you willing to stand on the rock of truth, no matter what that means. This is bad enough in society, but shame on every woke church and every woke pastor who decides to tickle the ears of their congregations with societal norms to gain societal popularity at the expense of God's truth.
During Jesus' ministry, we need to understand that in the eyes of society it was the religious establishment which was considered the correct or orthodox view on all matters. When Jesus is publicly challenged concerning handwashing, Jesus responds in Matthew 15:3, "He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?" Jesus knows that He is being canceled by those in the powerful establishment, but He points out the fallacy of their standing on the rules of men, rather than the commands of God. After a quick example of how they were guilty of this, Jesus continues in 15:7-9, "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”" Jesus then pulls those willing to listen to Him and explains the exchange further to them, to which we read in in 15:12, "Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”" To which Jesus responds boldly and unequivocally in 15:13-14, "But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”"
Look at the mess we find ourselves now in. We have toyed with, tolerated that which is evil in God's eyes to fit in, not be ostracized, etc. We have largely remained quiet at a time when we should have been outspoken. We shrunk back instead of being bold. Many might state, who are we?, or how are they to know? We read in Psalm 19:1-4, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world." With this in mind, lastly, for those who want to state that many just don't know or care, accept these words from Paul in Romans 1:18-22, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,". Decide today, what you deem to be truth, and stand firmly on it.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: