THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME

October 17-Start Your Day Right Devotion

Mark 7:6-7 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “’These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by me.’

THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME

​Pharisees and the teachers of the law were guilty of the sin of legalism, which substitutes outward acts or words for true godly attitudes that come from a holy relationship with God (Matthew 5:20; 5:27-28; 6:1-7; John 1:13; 3:3-6; Isaiah 1:11; Amos 4:4-5). Legalists seem to honor God with their words, but their hearts (motives and affections) are far from Him and His purposes. This means that they might appear outwardly to live right and seek what pleases God, but inwardly they have no real love for Him.

1. Legalism is not simply living by the laws or standards of God’s Word because such standards are good and proper if based on God’s commands and principles. Rather, legalism has to do with the person’s motive for following God and His purposes. Any motive that does not flow out of a true and active faith in Christ and the desire to obey and please Him is legalism (Matthew 6:1-7; John 14:21). Legalism often involves man-made regulations that have little or nothing to do with God’s original commands. The fault of legalism is depending on theses laws and standards for spiritual worth or salvation, which is not possible apart from faith in Christ.
2. In this age of grace (God’s undeserved favor and love expressed through Christ’s death for our sins), we are spiritually saved through faith in Christ and not our own efforts. This is not to say that Christians should neglect the instructions, disciplines and duties of Christ’s law and God’s Word. The Bible teaches us to show our love for Christ by being faithful in all these areas. The New Testament speaks of the “perfect law that gives freedom” (James 1:25), “the royal law” (James 2:8), the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) and the “law of the Spirit” (Romans 8:2). In God’s Word we find

1. Positive commands, which are things we should do and practice (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18),
2. Negative commands, which are things we should avoid or refrain from doing (Romans 12:2)
3. Basic principles, which are ethical truths that reflect God’s character and form the basis of His laws (1 Corinthians 8:13)
4. Words spoken by spiritual leaders with God-given authority in spiritual matters (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 3:5; Hebrews 13:7,17). 

​BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE

1. NIV Bible
2. KJV Reference Bible
3. Bible Gateway 
4. Bible Hub 
5. Blue Letter Bible

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