The strong point of the Pharisee from any era is its ability to transfer, and aiming to proclaim the guilt of others. Has the gift of seeing the speck in someone elses eye and not notice the beam that carries in it. Blinded by ambition, the Pharisee can not see his shadow and therefore the designs of others. This is the gift that he has, his signature, his most assured and predictable reaction. Whenever we transfer blame to someone else, we are looking for a scapegoat to escape any situation in which we are involved. The transfer of guilt is a kind of defense that replaces the honest analysis of the life and seeking personal growth in the flaws and errors in the self. For the Pharisee, God has great appreciation for the person who follows the law. Divine acceptance is secondary, conditioned behavior of the Pharisee. For Jesus, the situation is diametrically opposite. Be accepted, appreciated and loved by God comes first, motivating the student to live the law of love: We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Brennan Manning
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:07:25 +0000