Prufrock
Arbitrary Moderation
I've been slightly troubled of late, seeing the word "Pharisee" tossed around several times lately on the board, generally in reference to positions more scrupulous than our own. Brothers, this should not be!
Close obedience to the precepts of the law, and a deep concern for walking in its commandments does not make one a Pharisee: trusting in descent from Abraham; boasting in our perfect and blameless obedience to the Law; actually disobeying God's law by adherence to man-made traditions; confidence that we are accepted by God on account of our own purity; confidence in outward ceremony and ritual rather than inward, spiritual faith, charity and obedience -- these things are Pharisaical, not a brother who may be more scrupulous than you. A strong desire, on account of confidence and thanksgiving before God for our salvation, to walk perfectly in and delight in his precepts is something we should all strive after.
Close obedience to the precepts of the law, and a deep concern for walking in its commandments does not make one a Pharisee: trusting in descent from Abraham; boasting in our perfect and blameless obedience to the Law; actually disobeying God's law by adherence to man-made traditions; confidence that we are accepted by God on account of our own purity; confidence in outward ceremony and ritual rather than inward, spiritual faith, charity and obedience -- these things are Pharisaical, not a brother who may be more scrupulous than you. A strong desire, on account of confidence and thanksgiving before God for our salvation, to walk perfectly in and delight in his precepts is something we should all strive after.