Modern Day Pharisees

     Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the Pharisees and their teachings.

     “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees…’.”  Matthew 16:6

     His disciples did not at first understand what Jesus was saying, so Jesus explained His statement.

     “Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine (teachings) of the Pharisees…”  Matthew 16:12

     It is indisputable that polarization in today’s political climate is at or nearing an all time high.  There must be a cause or explanation.  Logic dictates that both sides of the argument cannot be right, however, both sides may be wrong. 

     If all the politicians of today were asked about their religious faith, it has been estimated that 3 out of 4 would proclaim they were Christian.  That is the professed faith of our president.  And while the President himself proclaims his Christianity, he also contends that ‘America is no longer a Christian nation’.  Is he correct in his assessment?

     The president and many of his followers have advanced ‘traditions’ that are anti-Biblical but have wide voter appeal.  That is political correctness in its most blatant form.  Political correctness and hypocrisy are very much one in the same.

     During a discussion on women’s right to choose, the president made another of his anti-Biblical statements which appeared recently in the national media.  He stated that if one of his teenage daughters made a mistake, they shouldn’t have to be punished with a child.

     The Bible prohibits Christians from judging others; however, Jesus made it explicitly clear that hypocrites, apostates, and by clear inference, those given to political correctness would be easily recognized.

     “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  You will now them by their fruits…A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”  Matthew 7:15-20

     Political correctness comes in many shapes and forms and addresses many varied issues, regretfully including America’s foreign policy.

     Our president continues to promote the idea that peace via democracy is on the way in the Middle East and Northern Africa.  When a country like Iran for example openly states their intention to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth, our president is quick to try to convince them and the rest of the world that they really don’t mean what they say.

     The entire world should give more credibility to such threats and openly agree with them when they are corroborated by Biblical prophecy.  The Bible does in fact tell of a future invasion of Israel by Iran (Persia).  We also need to proclaim boldly that the end result has already been determined and the future history of Iran has been written.  Our foreign policy should be forged accordingly.

     And just as the Pharisees were taught not to add to or subtract from the Mosaic Law, Jesus reinforced the consequences of adding or subtracting from any Biblical teachings.

     “…If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of…this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book (Tree) of Life.”  Revelation 22:18-19

       World renowned evangelist Billy Graham has voiced his conviction over and over that the majority of mankind and in fact the majority of professed Christianity has been deluded and deceived. 

     “Enter by the narrow gate; for…broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

     And though political correctness and hypocrisy may be politically expedient in this present generation, its end is destruction while the truth will endure forever.

     “Praise the LORD, all you nations!  Praise Him, all you peoples!  For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD endures forever.”  Psalm 117:1-2