Identity Buster - Devotional
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5
Written by: Heidi Farris
Have you ever thought about what it must have been like to have been a newly converted Pharisee during the early Christian church? It is impossible to understand the upside-down perspective Jesus brought them. They were human just like us.
From the time of Abraham, about 2000 years earlier, the Jewish people enjoyed the title of being God's chosen people. Those blessings came with responsibilities and laws to atone for their sins and keep their hearts directed to their Lord. These 613 commandments became the center of their physical, spiritual and social lives.
For one Jewish sect, the Pharisees, this “chosen” title and their zealous adherence to the laws evolved into considerable political and social power. They wore clothing people would recognize right away, clung to their own sect, and judged everyone else for not being as godly. Their laws and identity became an idol.
Then Jesus showed up. Jesus assured them the laws weren't necessary any more for the forgiveness of sins. All at once, their only requirement was believing he is the Son of God who came as a perfect final sacrifice for everyone. It is the most beautiful promise, but I imagine it shook them. This promise abruptly took away what they thought was their identity.
Jesus reached out to the Jewish people first, but then he promised the same redemption to the Gentiles, too! He even put some Gentiles in leadership positions!
The Pharisees were confused and offended. For generations they followed every letter of the law! All the prayers, the washing, the sacrifices they performed... Suddenly, gentiles were their “sisters and brothers” and they didn't even have to follow all the rules they had been following! They were expected to comprehend this with hearsay. There was no YouTube to see Jesus fulfilling all the prophecies and no New Testament to read from start to finish.
I'm just saying it must have shaken them. That's the danger of letting your identity become your idol.
The Pharisees had to grasp two vital points:
God loved them and the Gentiles equally through those 2000 years. God didn't choose them because they were superior. He chose them to be a light to the nations and to be His representative for that time on Earth.
There is a fine line between using commandments as spiritual boundaries and making them an idol. The Pharisees crossed the line and corrupted their position with God.
As we see our fellow humans falling further away from God's boundaries, it's easy for us to get caught up in the trap of making our position as a child of God an idol.
As Christians, God now calls us to be a light to the nations and to be his representative. We should live within God's boundaries and be obedient to the Holy Spirit, but we can't mistake ourselves as being superior. We are not here to force those laws on anyone else. We may mentor, and certainly direct and hold people accountable for sin, but keep a watchful eye on that fine line that is so easy to cross between what we and others do and whose we are.
Our identity is simply “Follower of Jesus”, and he required this first and foremost: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt 22:37-39)