What? Me a Pharisee?

It's been a while since I've blogged, with everything I have going on (or better said what I don't have going on) I've just not been able to get the blogging juices flowing , but here goes. Some may read this and not really understand the point , but for those of us who have gone from a strong, even militant, Separatist mindset it should hit hard.

 As I've been reevaluating my Christian life over the past year or so, I have come to realize that during the last 10 yrs of my, Hardcore, Strict, Separatist Baptist worldview, I was actually a living , breathing, Pharisee. How you ask, well for one I did exactly what our Lord said was not wise, I compared myself to other believers. I walked around with the attitude of "look at me, I work in this many ministries, how about you?". I measured other brothers and sisters spiritual walk to what I felt was my superior service to Christ. And now I must say first, I'm sorry, to any whom I may have made feel that I was better than you, I'm not now nor ever have been.

 But, can you see how I was a Pharisee? I did exactly what they did. They were constantly comparing themselves to any who were not "like them", does the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in the Temple ring a bell?

 And, as well, I measured those outside of the "movement" I was a part of , ( The IFB, KJVonly, no CCM, no pants on women, no "worldly" entertainment or secular music whatsoever, and not even fellowship with those who may have not held these same "beliefs"), all the while not even considering the fact that there are MILLIONS of believers out there that , although may have different likes and tastes, are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I was the one in the wrong, I was the Pharisee.

 Now this is not to say that we shouldn't separate over false doctrine or anyone who in any way would try to water down the Gospel, we should, and we should be militant about it, we should "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered".... but the faith is not founded on whatever moralistic standards I or some hardcore "Fundamentalist" (which I am not) pontificates, it's built on Christ!

 With that said, let me move on to what views I once held, views that aided me in my Phariseism, have changed (disclaimer, I'm not saying that those who may  hold to the KJV as the only reliable translation or those who may be against CCM or have different dress standards are Pharisees in any way, but what I'm dealing with is the attitude that any who may hold a different view are in some way inferior):

1. I'm no longer KJVonly. Is the KJV the Word of  God? yes. but so also is the NKJV, the ESV, the NASB and a few other conservative translations for a lot of good reading on this subject go Here
2. I love a lot of different types of music , some CCM, as well as...wait for it..... Some reformed Gospel rap, there I said it. For some good reading on the subject of music read Here
3. As for "worldly" entertainment, well as long as it doesn't contradict the mandates of Scripture and the Holy Spirit's leading within me, and I find it enjoyable, then I'm for it, whether it's the movie theater a ball game, or a concert (secular or Christian).
4. Dress standards. Well what does Scripture say, "modestly" well as long as it's modest (and this has just as much to do with high cost and flashy as it does form fitting , and it's for men and women, sorry men no skinny jeans), then wear it if you like it and you get a good deal.

Some other things I'm also researching is the whole "Body of Christ", Universal church" thing as well as some of our " Baptist Forefathers" that are supposedly in our "Lineage" (the Montanists for one), I care about truth, not about someones movement or agenda, and where ever the light of truth takes me, whether in history or positions once held, then I will follow. What does that have to do with Pharisee-ism? The attitude that if you don't accept my view then your an inferior Christian.

In conclusion, my earnest desire is to fight the ever present Pharisee within me, always looking for the opportunity to rise up and take control.

P.S. Here's a new book I found on this subject, and it's only $3.99 on Kindle Here , and watch the short video on the book at the bottom of the page just linked!