Modern Pharisees

Over the last year or so I've really become aware that there is a strong population of Pharisees in the Christian community. There are many situations where I've seen them emerge but I'll focus on just one aspect in this writing. I should mention that I don't pretend to be competely Christ-like in the way I conduct myself and act towards other people. There are probably times I am unware of where I demonstrate a Pharisaical mindset. Perhaps this exercise in thinking will help me identify those instances in my life and judgment.

Judas | Peter | Jimmy Swaggart | Jim Bakker | Onesimus

What are your thoughts when I mention those names? Do you feel compassion or disdain? This list of names, which is by no means exhaustive, represents people in Christianity who have erred in some way. I'm sure we can come up with names of people we know personally who have had bumps in the road of their Christian journey. Some hit a bump and are derailed. Some hit a bump, catch their balance, and return to the proper course. Regardless of the severity of the bump, we're most concerned with what happens afterwards... and we should be.

If someone sins and does not repent, we should pray and approach that person for the purpose of restoration (Gal 6:1). Note: RESTORATION is the goal, not punishment or excommunication. What did the Pharisees do in John 8 with the woman caught in adultery? They wanted to stone her and watch her receive the punishment for her sin. They didn't hang around to watch her receive forgiveness and (we can only assume) get her life back on track. They weren't interested in the restoration part. Shame on the Pharisees.

If someone sins and does repent, we should rejoice that he has been forgiven and restored. What did the elder brother do in the parable of the Prodigal Son? He was angry, selfish, and did not rejoice that his brother had repented and returned to the family. He wasn't interested in his brother's well-being and restoration. When the brother returned the father did not brow-beat him, make him feel worthless, and insist he be punished for his prodigal ways. He forgave him and rejoiced. Shame on the elder brother.

We get satisfaction when another Christian falls into sin, commits an indescretion, or has a lapse in judgment. We are satisfied because it makes us look better and we all need outside help to look like a better Christian because most of us aren't accomplishing it on our own. "After all, I didn't commit that sin. I wasn't the one who did THAT. I never made THAT choice. I must be a pretty good person. I can feel God smiling at me."

Shame on us Christians for delighting when someone falls and for not being willing to dish out a little compassion and forgiveness. God's judicial system works a lot differently than ours does. Our system is very black and white: if someone commits a crime, they get punished. We do not know the complete mind of God and his intentions for a single person's life. If someone commits a sin or does something stupid, God may choose to punish or not to punish but let God be God and allow Him to do what He wills. It's not our place to deal out judgment and punishment on people and we certainly shouldn't wish it upon them. Rejoice when someone turns from sin. Pray for someone if they don't repent. The goal is always restoration and Christlikeness and not some sadistic gratification that someone got what they deserved for the wrong they did.