By calling myself “Pharisee” I do not arrogate to myself the deep devotion, focused dedication and integral commitment to GOD which characterized many Pharisee lives. After all, Paul was a preeminent Pharisee before Jesus confronted and overwhelmed him on the Damascus road.
I meant to emphasize that I approached GOD in a mechanical, humanistic, and intellectual way–the arrogant and silly attempt by a creature to determine and control his relationship with his Creator.
As Jesus said ” Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” Matthew 23: 25 and 26. ESV
Jesus, Open my eyes and my heart; Overwhelm me with your presence; Burn off the excrescence of my evil heart.
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