I’ve been reading lately about the Sadducees and Pharisees in preparation for some sermons which are coming up. It was this group of men-throw in the scribes also-whom Jesus had the most difficulty with. But like today, not even the religious could agree.
The Sadducees were the political ones of the group. Their influence at the time wasn’t necessarily religious. Their influence was more political. Although they would deny it vehemently, they were in bed with the Romans. Oh, they had some religious quirks too. They did not believe in the resurrection, angels or anything supernatural. The also only believed in the validity of the Penteteuch (first 5 books of the OT).
The Pharisees, on the other hand, were the super religious. They were religious legends in their own mind. The Pharisees were very legalistic, wanting to hold all 600+ laws as a hammer over the heads of the people. They were opposed to the Sadducees when it came to their beliefs, especially on the resurrection. They were united with them on one thing: getting rid of Jesus.
One aspect of the Pharisees’ belief was the separation from unclean people. They would not dare get their hands dirty. “Come out from among them and be separate” applied to contact and interaction.
There some who take that literally, even today. They withdraw from society. Form communes. Want no influence (outside) to soil them. But I don’t believe that idea is to be taken physically. I believe it has to do with our hearts and minds. “Set your mind on things above not on things on earth” is what Paul told the Colossians. (3:2)
The word we are searching for is holiness. Sanctification. It means “to be holy, to be set apart.” Not physically, but in our hearts and minds. Devoted to Him.
The Pharisees thought they needed to physically separate.
The Sadducees thought they needed to ideologically separate.
The Bible speaks of devotion to God not the world.
Am I separated from the world? Am I dedicated for the Lord’s use? Are you?
“Father, may I be Yours completely. Help me not to be as concerned about physical separation as I am about having my heart and mind consecrated to You.”
B,
The heart and mind are definitely the priority here… Those tend to drive what is permissible in the physical. There are times for physical separation as well. This is basically the only “social media” I contribute to or read from publicly.
I found the need to separate from the world in regards to Facebook late last year. I do not regret it. The amount of negativity was overwhelming and the physical disconnect was needed in my case to preserve my mental state. Perhaps if I were “stronger” spiritually, I could have held the wall protecting my heart, but I found myself being angrier. That needed to stop.
–Being an introvert… I could easily isolate… but I also know that I cannot impact my little piece of the world for Christ if I don’t come out of my 1 room cabin in the woods.
Amen, Bill! May we belong completely to Jesus.
Blessings!
That is the only way for sure