Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday June 3, 2010

Some time ago I heard a man preach from a passage of scripture that would take most preachers months to exegete and in his arrogance the richness of the passage was missed and when he was finished the truth lay in shambles along the way. I noted his points and please note that I was really attempting to be gracious, the following:

Tell me what to think.

Reassure me of the truth of our preferred standards, though there is no scriptural base.

Follow the others.

Do NOT think.

The near hour of mental torture reminded me of the comment a professor at the Jewish Seminary in New York City made in response to a question as to why so many really religious Jews nod their head with near violence when praying or reciting scripture. The professor stroked his beard, looked knowingly deep into the eyes of the questioner and replied: "Because a very influential Rabbi nodded his head."

Years ago the academic part of the world of artists was raging with criticism concerning the magnificent sculpture "David" by Michelangelo. According to the expertise of the critics Michelangelo had incorrectly portrayed David's circumcision as it appears to just be barely so. Research uncovered the fact that somewhere along the line a powerful Rabbi had decided that the rite which had been performed upon Abraham and Moses among many others was not sufficient to clearly mark the Jew from the surrounding heathen and thus he taught that the rite must be more extreme. Michelangelo rejected this preference and stood by the original method used by God himself, and the history of the rite proved the sculptor correct.

I understand the emphasis on the outer person, but the scripture is more concerned about the condition of the heart. Ah, the stories I could tell.

Long ago God's people failed the outer vs the inner test in making a choice. Perhaps this mistake continues. 1 Samuel 16:7 "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

So, what is the condition of your heart? Today.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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