SOUNDLY UNSOUND

Many times, we can be theologically very sound, but can be actually very far from God, and all that He is asking of us. May sound unbelievable. May sound sacrilegious and heretical. One may question, “How is such a thing possible?” Let me quote Paul…
– “4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” – Philippians 3:4-6

Yet, the same Paul says…
– “15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” – 1 Timothy 1:15
– “8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” – 1 Corinthians 15:8-9
– “8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” – Ephesians 3:8
Saul, as the Pharisee, believed Jesus was an “evil” person, *therefore, he went on such a rampage of the Church and the Christians.* Yet, when he realised the truth, his eyes were opened, and he became Paul.

We find the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, sound, just like Paul, in terms of their theology, yet, they were so so far from the very God, whom they claimed to be their God, and themselves, to be His worshippers, and the “guardians” of the purity and the integrity, of all the spiritual matters. Do we see the contradiction? Do we see the error? Do we see the possibility of such a situation? 

In John chapter 5 we see “A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda” by Jesus. The incident reveals the hate of the religious Jews towards Jesus. They were sound in their theological understanding, yet they were so far away from God. What a tragedy.
– “15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” – John 5:15-18

What is terribly wrong in this whole incident, is the fact, that the religious leaders, because of their “theological correctness,” were willing to go to any lengths, in upholding their view. They were so blind to the fact, that they were violating, the law of the very God, for whom, they claim, to be burning with “holy zeal” and “righteous anger.” What a pity!

Beware my friends, in our zeal to stand for God, we may be actually working against the LORD God Almighty. Especially, these days, where such anger and hate for others, and their views, are so rampant, and given religious sanctity. That is why Jesus said…
– “11…beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:11-12

It does not take great erroneous efforts to err from the TRUTH, and the way of the LORD. Beware, the possibility. If not, we will be happily walking the wrong path, and thinking we are doing a great and invaluable service to the LORD; when in fact, we are doing a great disservice to the LORD. May the LORD help us.