Believing Without Confessing

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

Believing without confessing. Such were many of the religious rulers in Jesus’s day. They could not deny the power of God. Pride blinded their eyes in taking the next step to confess His Name and follow Him. They took upon themselves all the rituals of a religion, having a form of godliness, but denying the true power of God. Why? Because they feared what others may think. They feared for their reputation and standing in the religious order of their sect. Many today, believe that Jesus is the Son of God. They go to church, follow many of the teachings of Jesus (The Word of God), but stop short of confessing that Jesus is Lord of their lives and proclaiming that He is the only way to the Father. They desire the approval of man, more than the approval of God. They still live in darkness, and their eyes have yet to be open to see the kingdom of God. Most of us who live in America, don’t face physical persecution for our faith, but we face the pressure of being reticule, rejected, and mocked for confessing that Jesus is the only name under heaven to obtain eternal life. Believing is good, but not good enough. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Beyond Rules and Rituals

Mark 10:19  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

Jesus names 5 of the ten commandments given on the tablet of stones to Moses. These commandment address how man is to treat others. Avoid sexual immorality, Don’t hate or harbor a desire to kill a human being, Don’t take that which does not belong to you, Always tell the truth, and respect those in authority over you. Such is the implications given to us is the way a godly person should live. But God’s commandments is not in the things we do or not do, but it is what is written on our hearts. The new commandment of God is focus on how we treat others and how respect live in the eyes of God. Yes, He has “things” that we should not be doing, and if we love Him, we will not do them. But his commandments go way beyond rules, regulations and rituals. His commandments abide in us and us in Him.

Religion From God

Luke 10:33,37b “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. And when he saw him he had compassion on him...Then said Jesus unto him, “Go and do thou likewise.””-

Being religious is more that going to church and following rituals and rules. Those things are important to our faith as we worship and honor God. They show that we respect and reverence the ordinance that God has given us. But religion goes beyond the observance of the law. Religion that is from God will be filled with compassion having a servants heart. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, through us, Christ is able to touch and heal broken people. As we journey through life, God puts people in our lives that He wants us to help. We must be sensitive to the Spirit and listen to His voice as He reveals to us the needs that are all around us. We are not able to help everyone that is in need, but Jesus desires that we take time to show love and compassion to those He puts in our path. The high priest was too consume about his reputation and religious obligations that he completely over looked  God’s will to show compassion. Our faith is best seen when we love our neighbors as ourselves. If we love God, we will keep His commandments, but His commandments never negate us from showing compassion to a world that is hurting and need to see God in action through those that serve Him.