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Posted by  Michael Ayosele on “CARE FOR SOULS” on Facebook, from SEED OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 12TH, 2020.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/249850283163696

When Right Is Wrong

READ THE SCRIPTURE: MARK 6:53-7:30    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark6%2C+7&version=NKJV

He replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.

Mark 7:6-7

INSPIRATION

Those are insightful words. With our Lord’s keen perceptiveness, He plunges right to the heart of the issue. When the Pharisees ask Him. Why do your disciples not observe the traditions? He points out to them, first of all, the effect that the observance of tradition has upon our lives. It produces hypocrites.

You hypocrites, He says. But notice what He is doing here. He is pointing out the result of traditional worship. And He utilizes the word of the prophet Isaiah to show us what it is like. According to Isaiah, there is that which consists of right words but wrong attitudes. Everything outward is right, but inwardly the mind and heart are wrong.

That is what tradition can do to us. It externalizes religion, makes it outward instead of inward. As long as we are fulfilling the prescribed outward form, we think we are acceptable before God. That is the terrible danger of tradition.

This particular form that Isaiah mentions here–right words and wrong attitudes-is widespread among Christians. We all suffer from it at times, and we ought to recognize it and admit it.

And it has resulted in what is probably the most deadly danger to the evangelistic message of the church–the self-righteousness of Christians–thinking that because we do things in the right way, and say the right words, and believe the right doctrines, we are thus pleasing to God.

PRAYER

Father, I confess the many, many times I have done the outward things with the inward heart far removed. Thank You that You know

I and You have already made provision for my forgiveness. Teach me to worship You in spirit and truth.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT are you “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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