COMMANDMENT vs TRADITION, MARK 7

 

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came toge-
ther to Him,  having come from Jerusalem.  Now when 
they saw some of  His disciples eat bread  with defiled, 
that is,  with unwashed  hands,  they  found  fault.  For 
the Pharisees and  all the Jews do not  eat  unless they 
wash their  hands in a special way,  holding the tradi-
tion of the elders.  Mark 7: 1-3

     Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked Him, "Why 
do your disciples not walk according to the traditions 
of  the elders,  but eat bread with unwashed  hands?”   
He answered and said  to them, “Well did Isaiah pro-
phesy of  you hypocrites, as it is written:  This  people 
honors Me with their lips,  but their  heart is far from 
me.  And  in vain  they worship Me,  teaching  as doc-

trine the  commandments  of  men.   For  laying aside 
the commandment of  God,  you hold the  tradition of 
men—the  washing  of  pitchers  and cups, and  many 
other things  you do.”   He said  to them,  “All to well 
you  reject  the commandment  of  God,  that you may 
keep your tradition."   Mark 7: 5-9

As recorded in Mark 6, Jesus had just performed the

miracle of  the fish and loaves, walked on  the water, calmed the sea and arrived with His disciples at  the 
land of Genesaret.  This was a rural  area or  plain 
and  there  was a small  town  nearby with  the same 
name.  Along with everyone  else,  came  scribes and
Pharisees.  These Jewish leaders  had  determined to 
show Him a  fraud.  They  noticed His disciples were 
not  adhering to their  traditions.  (This  had  little or 
nothing to do  with the  Law  received  by  Moses and 
recorded in Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy.) 

 Their traditions had, in  their  practice, taken on more 
significance than Law. Their traditions had to do with 
formal, outward display;  the Law  as  recorded  in the 
first  five books of  the Bible had  not  only to  do  with 
formal observances, but was primarily about our rela- 
tionship to God and man and doing the just and hono- 
rable thing in every situation.  (Jesus had summarized   
it by saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all 
thine  heart with all thy soul  and  with all  thy  mind." 
The second is like  unto it,  "Thou shalt love thy neigh-
bor as  thy self."  This law, or  great  commandment is  
recorded in Mark 12: 30, Matthew 22: 37, and in part; 
Deuteronomy 6:5. "On these two commandments hang 
all of  the Law and  the  Prophets"  according  to Jesus 
Christ  in Matthew 22:40.  Christ has  just summarized 
or "hung"  the Old Testament  Law on  this one  princi-
ple,  "love."  Love  of  God,  the  Great  Commandment, 
and Love of  mankind, His  principle  creation,  second 
only to love of God.

  We, as the followers of Jesus Christ, at in danger  at
times of the being guilty of  the same thing.  Are there 
not  times when  you and I hold the approval of  other 
men to be more important  to us than the  approval of 
our  Lord.  This is displayed any  time status becomes 
important to us and we do  things just for appearance
sake. This might be displayed as we try to present our-
selves to be different from what we know is true, or as
 we tell truth,  but add something to make  us look bet-
ter.  This could also happen as we fail to  forgive ano-
ther, or fail to ask forgiveness when we know we have 
offended someone.  In my own case it is true as prefe-
 ferential treatment is given one  when it is beneficial 
to me rather than being the same to everyone whether 
there is benefit or not. 

     Finally; in order to  fulfill  the "Law of Christ," you 
and I must find ways to be of assistance to his crowning 
creation, mankind.  In other words, as we have opportu-
nity we meet needs or give help without expecting some-
thing  in return and share  personal possessions with all 
whom we meet, who are in need.  Then,  we will begin to 
search out those in need in order to be of service to God 
and mankind.  Jesus  spent his  time on  this earth going 
about doing good.  He did not  ask  questions as  to whe-
ther the persons he helped had good qualifications. Just 
as it is today,  Jesus comes to do service for  you and me.  
The only qualifications is  that we have a need. May the 
Lord God bless  your efforts and  mine as we seek  to be-
come Christ to those around  us. One caveat; Christ will
honor  any deed, large or small, when it  is  done on His 
behalf  and  in  faith.  Everything  we  do,  for  the Lord, 
must  be  done at  His direction,  in His  will,  and empo-
wered by the Spirit of God.  Scripture says:  
     
  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders 
   obtained a good report.             
 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed 
  by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen 
  were not made of things which are visible." 
                                      Hebrews 11: 1,2,3

     "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 
       for He who comes to God must believe that He is, 
      and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently 
      seek Him."  Hebrews 11: 1,2,3,6. 

  Thanks for looking; just remember, there  are no "super 
saints"  We all fail our "Master" at  times.  Don't become 
discouraged,  since discouragement is  a tool of our com-
mon enemy.  (Satan) The "Mind of Christ" is lived  out in 
you and me as we  join with the  local Body of Christ, His 
church.   In this way  the church is  edified and  the  Lord
God receives the glory.  
     We do not want to be "Lone Ranger Christians".

donporter  1.01.14  (jlrsbnch@msn.com)

THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST, Isaiah

The oldest manuscript of Isaiah is from Dead Sea Scrolls,  dated
over  100 years  before the  birth of Jesus Christ.  Isaiah  penned
the book over 600 years before that.  There is some  controversy 
over the possibility of  two authors,  but this does not take away
from  the  authenticity  of  this  Scripture.  (Isaiah is reported  to
have had an assistant, or  Scribe, who helped him transcribe the 
book of Isaiah.)  

     Our celebration of  the Christmas season is coming  to a close
and it  is imperative to  address  this  with some  knowledge from
God's Word.  I do not choose to get  into the controversy created
during  the past few years concerning our celebration of the birth
of Jesus Christ.  Some say Holy Day others say Holiday:
(The  word, "Holiday"  is  another way of  saying "Holy" Day.")

 

There are some things that need clarification:
   1.The word "Christmas" does not  occur in Scrip-
ture, and there is no place in the Bible commanding
us to observe such a holy day.  We are instructed in
the  New Testament to remember His death until He 
returns to this earth. My family has always celebra-
ted the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th. We
know, He may have been born in the Spring.

  2.  The  many ways in which this holiday has been
observed  over the years  has given rise to a sort of 
backlash  from persons within and  without church.
To  state it  plainly,  this "holiday" has  been  more
about  exchanging gifts with  friends and  relatives
than about the propagation of the gospel of Christ. 

    3. There is strong evidence  in  the observance of 
this event that Santa Claus has top billing with side
mention  of  Jesus Christ.  To enter a  discussion of
Santa Claus being omitted from  the  celebration is
profitable,  since  fantasy is  incompatible with  the
Holiness of  the season.  We  will not  consider that
debate at this time.   

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with  God and the Word  was God.  He  was  in  the 
 beginning  with  God  and  all  things  were  made  
through Him and  without  Him  nothing was  made
that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the
light of  men. And the light  shines in  the  darkness, 
and the darkness did not comprehend it. (“..did not 
overcome it.”)  John 1: 1-5”

         “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as 
    many as  received Him, to them  He gave the right to become chil-
    dren of  God, to those who  believe in  His name: who  were  born, 
    not of blood, nor of the will  of  man, but  of  God.   And the Word 
    became flesh and dwelt among us,  and  we beheld His  glory,  the 
    glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  
                                                                                          John 1: 11-14

  "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: 
Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a Son,
   and shall call His name Emmanuel." 
(“God with us”)                                  Isaiah 7: 14

(Speaking of Joseph as he thought on his dilemma
 with Mary who had conceived before their coming
together...)    
                   "But while he thought about these
                    things, behold an angel of the Lord
                   appeared to him in a dream, saying,
                  Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
                    to take to you Mary, your wife, for
                 that which is conceived in her is of the
                  Holy Spirit,' And she will bring forth a
                 Son, and you shall call His name Jesus,
                  for He will save His people from their
                sins.    
                   So all this was done that it might be
                 fulfilled which was  spoken by the Lord  
                   through the  prophet saying:"
   "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear
     a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,
    which is translated, God with us."  (Also spelled
    "Immanuel")  John 1: 20-23, donporter 12.28.13

LESSONS FROM THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

    *****************************************************
         Matthew 23: 2-8
              "The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses
               seat.  Therefore  whatever they  tell you to
               observe, that observe and do, but do not do
               according to their works;  for they say and
              and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens
              hard to bear and  lay them on men's shoul-
              ders; but they  will not move them  with one
              of their fingers.  But all of  their works they
              do to be seen by men. They make their phy-
              lacteries broad and  enlarge the borders of
              their garments. They love the best places at
              feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, gre-
              tings in  the market  places and to be called
             'Rabbi,  Rabbi.'   But  you, do  not be  called 
             'Rabbi,' for one is your  teacher,  the  Christ
             and you are all brethren." 
 
        The Lord taught his disciples to respect their leaders in
       Judaism, and warned against (1.) Oppression of those in 
       your charge. (2.) The dangers of doing  "good works" for
       show, and (3.) Seeking recognition or status.The Scribes, 
       Pharisees and Saducees were  flagrant in  their violation 
       of these principles; with you and  me, it's subtle.  Just as  
      Jesus taught; Matthew 6: 1-6 to do good in secret, give in 
      secret and to pray in secret. He is consistent when warning 
       his disciples against the pride and hypocrisy of these "lea-
       ders." (Matthew 6: 1-6) In Matthew 5: 20 He states openly; 
    "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds 
     the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by  
     no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

     Consider the possibility of you or I having a smug
or "Self-righteous" attitude as we do good deeds, give 
to the cause of Christ or pray faithfully. There is little 
difference  in  doing  these  things for  show or  doing
them that we might be  self-satisfied. Our motivation 
for doing good deeds, (works) prayer and fasting, and 
making an offering above the tithe  first, because our 
Lord  taught us  these things.  The second reason; His
love  for  us and  our  subsequent  love  and  care  for 
others. There is promise of blessing from the Lord. If 
we believe Scripture, we are aware of  the blessing of  
the  Lord  being on those  who obey  and  there is  no 
blessing promised to those of us who fail to obey. 

Who is there among us that does not have a desire for 
 the blessing of the Lord Christ on his or her life? 

 http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/05/and-thy-father-which-seeth-in-secret.html

So, in addition to denying ourselves that we may have 
to give to others, doing good deeds and prayer, we're
led to communicate this  good news of  the Gospel of 
Jesus Christ in it's  fullness, to  those  around  us  and  
eventually, to all people around the world.
   Our Lord gave the model prayer to his disciples, as 
recorded by Matthew in chapter 6, verses 9  through 
13, he added remarks that are constantly with me. 

 Every time we pray, and consider this model prayer,
"The Lord's Prayer" the  next  two verses  that  refer
to verse 12; "And forgive our debts, trespasses, as we
forgive our debtors... "those that trespass against us."  
Below in verses 14 and 15 of this same chapter, state 
the following: 

             "For if you forgive men their trespasses,
               your heavenly Father will also forgive
              you.  But if you do not forgive men their
              trespasses, neither will your Father for-
               give your trespasses."

     What kind of burden to forgive does  these words 
place upon us as we deal with the Lord in reconciling 
our own sin  and  disobedience?  The  passage means 
just  what  it  says," ...if you do not  forgive men their 
trespasses, neither will you Father  forgive  your tres-
passes."   Who could stand if  the Lord  God  were to 
reckon our sins against us?  (Serious business) 

In these verses you will notice the word "trespasses" 
is used and  not the word  "debts" as  in the  body of 
the "Model Prayer,"  or "Lord's Prayer."

  (New King James Version)       donporter 12.14.13 

http://noglobaltaxes.org/ck11.30.11.html      
 
                       
                           
                           

KEEPING LAW OR LIVING IN GRACE...

              

     The Old Testament (first 39 books) and the New 
 Testament, (remaining 27 books) of  Scripture are
equally inspired by the Lord God.

 II Timothy 3: 16-17:   All  Scripture  is  given  by 
inspiration of  God and  is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ-
teousness: That  the man of  God may  be  perfect, 
(mature) throughly furnished unto all good works.

      "And with this the words of the prophet agree.
       just as it is  written: 'After  this  I  will return
       and,  will  rebuild  the  tabernacle  of  David, 
      which has fallen down: I will rebuild it's ruins,
      and I will set it up, So that the rest of mankind
      may  see the  Lord, even  all  the Gentiles who
      are called  by My name,  says  the  Lord,  who 
      does all these things." 

                                                      Acts 15: 15-17.

      "On  that day I will raise up the Tabernacle  of
       David, which has fallen  down, and  repair it's
       damages; I will raise up it's ruins, and rebuild
       it as in  the days of old; that  they may possess
       the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who
       are called by my name." 
                                          Amos 9: 11,12.

   The apostles, early on, became aware of  the dif-
ference in what the Lord required of Gentile belie-
vers and what He had required, under the law, of
His people Israel.  In the verses following; 
Acts 15: 18-22, we find this: "Known to God from
eternity are  all His works.  Therefore I judge that
we should  not trouble those from among the Gen-
tiles who are  turning to God,  for that we write to
them  to  abstain  from   things  polluted  by  idols,
from  sexual  immorality,  from  things  strangled,
and  from blood.  For Moses has  had  throughout
many generations, those who preach him in every
city, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath"

(This was discussed in Jerusalem among all the
Apostles who agreed  totally and  sent letters to 
this effect to the brethren in Antioch, Syria and
Cilicia.
     Since I have become aware of the matter,  it
has been a concern to me that some Bible belie-
vers  try  to live  according to  a watered  down
version of the Law in this day of grace.
     It is clear as we look into this practice; their
efforts to keep the Law in no way can be recon-
ciled with the Law as given to Moses from God
at Sinai.  This refers only to  that  part given in
Exodus,  beginning  in  Chapter 20 through 23,
not  to mention the chapters that  follow, in the
rest of Exodus and  in  Leviticus. Do  you know
of  anyone,  Jewish  and Gentile  alike  who are
in any way attempting to observe the Law given
to Moses?     
So, referring to Acts 15:8-11 we find Peter say-
ing in reference to Gentile converts; (that's  us)
"And God, which knoweth the hearts bare them
witness, giving  them  the Holy Ghost,  even as
he did unto us: and  put no  difference between 
us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.   
Now  therefore, why  tempt  ye  God, to  put a  
yoke  upon  the  neck  of  the  disciples, which 
neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear?"

But we believe that through the grace of the 
Lord, Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as
they."  (You might also choose to read vs. 5-7)

  This above and other texts in Acts shows how
our  Lord dealt  with Gentile  believers in  that
transitional era, after Jesus Christ arose, then
ascended to the Father.  From that  time there
came a body of literature from the Apostles to
believers, the  Church, detailing how it would
work, in  what is called the "New Testament,"
or Covenant.  Here we find how this was to be
applied in  the life of  a new believer in Christ.
This revelation  did not annul any  part of the
Law given to Moses at Sinai.  The new revela-
tion became part of the "Word of God," incor-
porated therein. There is much Godly wisdom
in  both  the  Old and New Covenants  (Testa-
ments that applies to living above reproach in
the power (Name) of Jesus Christ.
    We understand the Old Testament was writ-
ten  to Israel with  the Church in mind.  Many  
prophecies in  the Old Covenant  refer  to  the
Church of Jesus Christ, but were hidden at the
time, to be understood by reading the New Tes-
tament.  The  Old Testament  builds  our  faith,
giving a valuable heritage as we learn how our
Lord  dealt with  his people, Israel.  This gives
parallels  as  to  how He  might  deal with this 
new  entity in a given situation. There is much 
wisdom to be gleaned from careful reading of 
the  Old  and  New Testaments.  An important 
part of this is the deep reverence  or awe held 
by the Patriarchs in a time when we  take very
lightly the things of  the Lord and  His church 
With that in mind; the following Scripture rela-
ting to the Liberty of the Child of God in Jesus 
Christ:  
     "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
        Because the Lord has annointed me
         to preach good tidings to the poor;
          He has sent Me to heal the broken
          hearted, to proclaim liberty to the 
            captives."
     Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18 (Psalm 42:7) 
          (Luke 7:22) 

          "Pure and undefiled religion before 
           God and the Father is this; to visit 
          orphans and widows in their trouble, 
           and to keep oneself unspotted from 
             the world,"        James 1:27

       "You see then that a man is justified 
         by works and not by faith only." 
                                             James 2:24
  Reconciling the Law given to Moses and
Grace offered to us through faith in Jesus
Christ, is  not difficult, as we have seen in
James 1:27 and in the Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 15.  As  was noted in the writings
of the Apostle Paul;Grace does not expect
 the "Gentile" believer to keep the Law as
given to Moses in the same way as expec-
ted of Israel.  One other thing to keep  in
mind;  The new believer is expected to be
considerate of believing Jews, who might
have difficulty separating Law and grace
because of their traditions.  
The Jews I know today, are  not  strict in
their keeping of  the traditions and  laws
of  Judaism, therefore  are not  apt to be
offended if we observe the Law of Liber-
ty in Christ Jesus as seen in James 1:27.

   I  have a  Jewish  friend, who  has great
respect  for the Church of Jesus Christ,  is
married to a believer and they have a dau-
ghter who is  a  Gospel singer.  He and  I
have had discussions about this and I find
he  may, at some  future  time, be open  to 
the Gospel of  Christ.  We  must, in  every
case, live above reproach and avoid criti-
cism or offensive  conversation with those
who hold somewhat, different beliefs from 
ours.                       (Read Romans 2 & 3)

donporter,sr   12.09.13;   edited 7.15.16