11/10/2021 - PRIESTS FULL OF ENVY

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Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation. Acts 5.17

When Jesus came to the world, He didn’t seek the existing priesthood in Israel to get right with such practices, neither to say that those leaders were wrong in the work of God. Christ knew their hearts and thoughts. The Scriptures reported what they did, but they didn’t amend their way. The wine that the Master brought was new, so it should be put into new wineskins. Thus, the vessel would not spoil or break (Matthew 9.17; Mark 2.22).

We don’t have to get right with any religion, not even with the one who claims to be a Christian, for it is by the fruit that you know the tree. The Master warned: Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12.33). The Father’s actions are perfect. He is good!

When anyone disobeys heavenly directions, he is good for nothing, because he has let himself be led by sin. The saved person needs to preach the Truth as the Master did, with wonders, prodigies and signs. He gave us the example, so we should act in a similar way. After all, we have the same grace and anointing over us (John 14.12).

Those priests of Judaism occupied Moses’ seat, but they didn’t live before the Lord as he did, thus, they were disqualified. For these religious people, it was all about what they decided, but that was pure deception. Jesus spoke of them like this: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23.15).

When the priests saw the disciples of the Master, who were used by God even though they were illiterate, they were filled with envy. Today, many make a great effort to study, so, they think they are better than those who have only heard the Word and believed. But this conclusion is not biblical, for it is written: But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness (Romans 4.5)!

The high priest and those who were with him arose in the flesh. Now, without the fear of the Lord, only an evil feeling could arise in them. Those who have the Comforter realize whether those who claim to do the work of the Master are of God or not, because the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8.16). The attitude of the high priest and the others was bad.

Don’t let envy, criticism or any other dart from hell dominate your life. Never act as a false and irresponsible judge, condemning the Lord’s elect. Judge yourself in the Word, which has given you the identity of a child of God (John 1.12). Be a servant of the Most High!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares