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NASB | Matthew 23:13 ¶ "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 23:13 ¶ "But woe (judgment is coming) to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven in front of people; for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are [in the process of] entering to do so. [Luke 11:52] |
Bible Question: The things of this world -- worldliness -- can ensnare the Christian and lure him away from intimacy with God. But so can religion itself. Can you cite and discuss examples in the Bible where religious people have literally been entrapped by their own religion? --Hank |
Bible Answer: Hank, The best example for religion keeping someone form intimacy with God is the Pharisees. Jesus constantly cautioned them about letting the traditions they received from their fathers keep them from the truth of God. Mt. 15:1-8 is good example. (1) Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,(2) Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. (3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?(4) For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.(5) But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;(6) And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.(7) Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,(8) This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Notice in this passage also that Jesus says they have made the commandment or Word of God of none effect by their traditions. This is the only place or thing in the Bible I can find that a statement like this made about it. There is nothing that can take away the power of the Word in our lives like tradition or religion. When we follow tradition or religion, we are saying the Word is no good, we need something else. If the doctrines or traditions of our Churches are not Scriptural, they are tradition, and make the Word of God of no effect. Let us be brave and go where few will dare tread today and follow the Word instead of traditions. later...wdc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 23:13 | Author | ||
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charis | ||
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charis | ||
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Hank | ||
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Norrie | ||
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Gr8fulgramm |