Dont's Shut The Doors For Others!

Hypocrites!
.
That's the word that was used in today's reading. It refers to the Pharisees. Even though it seems that they are active in temple activities, they have no place in Heaven because they practice hypocrisy. Not just they block their way to Heaven, they also block other people's opportunity. They do this by preaching false teachings and causing confusion in people. The reading call these Pharisees as "Blind Guides". Can you imagine the blind leading the blind? Where will they go? 99.9% off the track and will stray even further. At least, if you know that you are not fit entering the Kingdom of God, please do not pull others into your situation.
.
The best way is to repent. To change what is wrong and to practice what is right. In this current world, money is same as gold to people at the old days. I agree that almost everything in this world need money. Even when we wanted to go to the toilet in shopping complex, we need money. But please do not use holy place to fulfill your intention of making money. The pharisees use the temple as they bait for people to put their money in. They tell people that oath alone is not enough to get the grace of God. In order to obtain God's grace, they need to put some "gift". This is nonsense. For me, gift is from our heart. If we feel and think we want to bring gift to the altar, then do it sincerely. Do not be influence and pressed by situation that we must bring gift if we want God's blessing. Keep away from the practice of Pharisees. Remember that all those money, gold, gifts come from God. When we bring gifts for Him, He is not impressed by the gifts. He impressed by our intention and sincerity.
.
Don't think that you can fool God. He sees the intention of the heart even before we speak or act. Even while I am typing right now, he already knows the content of this blog.
.
He who swears by Heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. As a religious leaders, we need to learn how to "listen to God's word". Just because you fail to listen to God's word, you not just bring yourself into the wrong path, you will also bring along the people whom you preach into that path. This misleading can cause disaster and can be avoided if the mindset of wanting to listen being practice. In order to avoid unnecessary and burdensome rules for people to reach salvation, leaders of religion should go back to the basic teaching of God, "Love God and Love Your Neighbor."
.
Do you have the willingness to obey? Think.
God bless us.
.
.
Yours Sincerely,
.
.
Timben