Matthew 5:20 KJV, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 23:1-4 KJV, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
Ellen G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels, Vol 2, 1877, Ch 4, Pp. 73-74, Steam Press, Battle Creek, MI: “Christ admonished his disciples, and also the multitude, to follow that which was good in the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, but not to imitate their wrong examples, nor be deceived by their ambitious pretensions.
John [the Baptist] saw that these proud Jews were exalting, and glorifying themselves by parading their ostentatious piety before the public. They bound portions of the law upon their foreheads and about their wrists, that all might recognize and pay deference to their assumed sanctity. True, God had commanded the children of Israel to place a ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, upon which the ten commandments, in brief, should be embroidered. This was to continually remind them of their duty to love God supremely, and their neighbor as themselves. But the farther they had departed from their primitive purity and simplicity, and the more directly their daily lives were opposed to the law of God, the more particular were they to make broad their phylacteries, and add to the words which God had specified should be traced on the ribbon of blue. Outwardly they were expressing the deepest devotion, while their acts were in strong contrast with their profession.”
The “pharisees” represents self-exaltation and external religion. Yet their internal religion is selfish and ungodly. They say smooth things but not privately practicing them. They would teach the law and enforce it rigorously through burdensome requirements.. But neglect to address the practical benefit for others. For example a priest will say, “keep our children safe that come to the Lord.” But they would molest children sexually when they are by themselves. They would teach, “give to the poor but they themselves do not give to the poor.” They would only do so as a lip service or public token of display void of compassion.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, knew their hearts and admonished us to do the good they say but not follow their actions.
Psalm 119: 11 KJV, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Worship the Only True God who gave His Son Jesus Christ. Do not serve money, material things, or man’s ideas that contradict God’s law. God’s name is Holy and was given to His Son speak it to sanctify self and others. Refrain from laboring every Seventh day, our common Saturday, and worship the Only True God who gave His Son. Respect the elderly and be compassionate with them. Do Not hate except sin. Do Not lust. Do not be corrupted. Do not lie speak truth in love. Do Not take more than you need and share what you have to those who are in need.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.
PS: We are grateful and thankful to some recent donors who mailed their checks to Mark Lastimoso Ministry PO Box 1334, Reedley, CA 93654. You may write your check a short note to specify Tithes or Offerings as we provide a year end receipt. For our donors using PayPal or Donation Forms your receipt is at the time of your giving. Thank you so much.