Thematic Bible: Religion characteristics of
Thematic Bible
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » False profession
Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they do not do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits. To them you are nothing more than a singer with a beautiful voice who sings love songs or a musician who plays an instrument. They listen to your words, but they do not do them.
They profess that they know God; but deny him by their works! They are detestable, disobedient, and not approved for any good work.
Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. He who does the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a broken pottery covered with silver dross.
My Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.
They remembered that God was their rock, that the Most High was their defender. They flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues.
Listen to this, people of Israel, you that are descended from Judah. You swear by the name of Jehovah and claim to worship the God of Israel. However you do not mean a word you say.
He told them: Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites. It is written: 'This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me.
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » Legalism
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you.
Paul wanted to have him travel with him. So he had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in the area. For they knew that his father was a Greek.
Those who heard it glorified God. They said to him: You see brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed. They are all zealous for the law.
Some of the Pharisees asked: Why do you do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?
I advanced as a Jew beyond many of my own age among my countrymen. I was more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
The Pharisees said: Why are they doing what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?
The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. He told the people: There are six days in which we should work. Come during those days and be healed, not on the Sabbath!
So the Jews told the man who was cured: It is not lawful for you to pickup your bed for it is the Sabbath.
I testify that they have zeal for God, but not according to [precise and correct] knowledge.
FALSE » Religion characteristics of » Ceremonialism
Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and poor fundamental things? Do you want to slave for them all over again?
When they come from the marketplace they wash themselves before they eat. They follow many other rules. They wash their cups, and brass pots, and other vessels.
Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear?
Christ liberated us for freedom (moral liberty). Stand fast therefore, and do not become entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
If you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances:
since they have to do only with food, drink, and various purification ceremonies. These are all outward rules, which apply only until the time comes to change them for something better.
Related Topics
- Christ Is Lord
- Circumcision, physical
- Complaints
- Deception, Forbidden By God
- Elements Of The Universe
- Fake Friends
- Freedom
- Jesus Healing
- Legalism
- Loving Children
- Mere Talk
- Nominal Religion
- Pharisees Concerned About Christ
- Pharisees, Beliefs Of
- Professing
- Ritual
- Showing Hypocrisy
- Subject To Evil
- Taking The Law To Heart
- The Sabbath And Christ
- Yokes
- Zealots
- 5 more topics on Religion
- 11 more topics on Characteristics