I wonder how often we teach as doctrines the commands of men? (7:7) The Pharisees were complaining that the disciples were not washing before dinner. Even though that might be dirty and unsanitary (which was the purpose of the given code), it has nothing to do with a relationship with God. Jesus focused on the inside, the inner life which needed to be clean first. The outside responds to the inside.
Question: Do we label people as "unclean" because of sanitary issues? Or what is worn? Perhaps the amount of make-up worn or the car they drive. If not these, perhaps we make doctrines out of other laws of men like, music or worship style or what we watch on TV or in the movies. It is not that these things may give a clue to what is going on inside a person, but we must be careful not to make a doctrine out of it that separates the wheat from the weeds. We can twist the scriptures and make them say anything we want them to say. This has been done throughout history to decide who is acceptable to God and who is not.
Let's honor God with our lips AND have hearts close to God.
That's what I heard this morning. What about you?
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