One of the lawyers
answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” And he
said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear,
and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to
you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you
are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed
them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will
send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ so
that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may
be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,
who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required
of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of
knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were
entering.” As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to
press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, lying in wait for
him, to catch him in something he might say (Lk 11:45–54).
The lawyers could not help feeling convicted
by the woeful words of Christ that were directed at the Pharisees. That’s what
happens when the Word of God… “For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of
spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and
exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
and the Spirit of God… “And when he comes, he will convict the world
concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8) are working
together to grasp and transform the hearts of sinners. In reply to their
confession Jesus reveals how even the most zealous followers can be deceived unless
they have been transformed by the law that frees the heart.
Some who call themselves followers of Jesus
burden themselves and others with legalistic and religious burdens. True
discipleship is not obeying a long list of rules that only modify external
behavior. We don’t need the grace of God for such legalistic manipulation. True
disciples are born again with a new heart that is hungry for God’s Word,
holiness, fellowship with Him and other believers, to serve Him and His Church,
and to share His precious gospel. A heart freed and compelled by the love of
Christ is an obedient heart where Christ abides richly… “If anyone loves
me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him
and make our home with him” (John 14:23).
Some who say they are Christ followers honor
the prophets but do not honor or obey their words. True discipleship is not
possible apart from the nourishment… “It is written, ‘Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew
4:4), equipping… “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that
the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy
3:16-17), and sanctifying… “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is
truth” (John 17:17) Word of God. That’s why the hearts of true
disciples are immersed in God’s Word… “If you abide in my word, you are
truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free” (John 8:31-32).
Some who claim to be Jesus followers take away
the key of knowledge. The key to knowledge is the Holy Spirit who leads earnest
seekers deep into the truth sealed in God’s Word… “When the Spirit of
truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). True disciples
rely on the Holy Spirit to teach God’s truth so they are transformed by the
truth of God’s Word. They don’t want to miss the revelation of Jesus Christ in
every part of scripture… “You search the Scriptures because you think
that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John
5:39). The hearts of true disciples are transformed and filled by the
Spirit that replaces sin and death with the life of Christ… “There is
therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of
the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and
death” (Romans 8:1-2).
As we grow up into Christ we grow and
are transformed by the grace and mercy that accompanies…
The Law that Frees the Heart.
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