SUNDAY January 7, 2024
Ignorant Disputes
And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
Acts 23:7-9
Paul had successfully caused a division between the Sadducees and the Pharisees over the Resurrection of the dead. When they heard Paul was a Pharisee, they defended him, but really it was only to cover themselves in their belief in the Resurrection. They hated Paul.
Listen to the scribes among the Pharisees voice their opinion. Perhaps, after all, Paul was a spiritual man, and truly he might have heard an angel speaking to him. Notice, in their dispute with the Sadducees, we find the scribes and Pharisees to be mere religious men. They had no personal relationship with God, like Paul. They just gave a defense of their beliefs. They sounded so spiritual––“let us not fight against God”––but they spoke hypocritically because, in actuality, they hated Paul!
So many people get into religious disputes, but what does the Word of God teach about this? In the book of 2 Timothy, we find the answer:
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
Pray for people who oppose your faith in Christ. When the Lord opens the door for you to speak with them, share the Gospel in humility, letting them know you have a personal relationship with Christ. It is not about religion, it is about relationship.
I believe a personal relationship with God is healthy, but organized religion has potential for danger, in whatever faith.
~Max Lucado~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
