a posting from my friend todaysdelight@unexpecteddelights

The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?" Mark 7:5

I have been contemplating this passage since the beginning of March. This mentality or rather disease as I have tagged it is still prevalent today. I wonder how many of us have either had it or have experienced the effects of someone who is carrying it. The symptoms of this disease begin to manifest when one falls into practicing the religious traditions/teachings of man and begin substituting man's standard in place of God's standard. These traditions and standards require simply going through the motions: mechanical and thoughtless conformity without a pure heart. Those caught up in this can become very calloused and judge mental. Like an infectious disease, it can spread and have deadly effects.

Jesus answered the question from the pharisees with a prophetic quote from the 29th chapter of the book of Isaiah. "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based merely on human rules they have been taught."
There is a verse in the book of Psalms that comes to mind regarding what our state of worship should be..."Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." 29:2b
What is holiness? A heart that is dedicated and devoted to serving God. "Serving God not man." If we are serving God first and foremost we will be adding to man through God's glory alone.

Lord God, guard us and alert us to falling prey to pharaseeitsit. Instill in us compassion, dedication and devotion that is pure towards you. Help us to be vigilant in the keeping of the art and beauty of worship that is holy unto you. Help us, Lord, to love your people and to see them through your eyes of loving kindness and tender mercies that we may extend your hand of grace to them. In Christ Jesus name I pray.