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Theme: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Text: “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” – Matthew 23:1-4.
Comment: The religious leaders in the days of Christ were very dutiful in preaching what was in the law to the people, but they cared less about practising what they were saying and so Christ charged his disciples not to follow their example in that mere profession of faith without works is dead, being alone (James 2:17, 20) Some claim to be Christians but, they, by their actions, show that they do not love their fellow human beings as themselves and that they do not care if their actions or utterances bring reproach to the name of God and His organization or not. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16).They use very offensive and destructive words against others. What is the use of all the work one is doing in the service of God if one is destroying them again with ungodly behaviours? See Luke 6:46; Leviticus 19:16; Galatians 2:18. As St. Paul stated in his letter to Titus, we as Christians should put the works of the old man behind us by God’s grace. Apostle James exhorts us thus: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves… But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – James 1:22-25.