Continued Thought by Larry Perry
Isaiah 29:12-14 English Standard Version
12 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”
13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”
I will not disparage the practice of any administration of faith. We all have a responsibility to our God to worship him in Spirit and in Truth. That is a private matter. Nor can we stand in judgment of others in those things they practice. This leaves us with a self-examination of the motives within our own hearts.
I can only point to God’s Word as a guide to right judgment. Just a hint of motivations of the heart are given here by Isaiah. “Fear of me is a commandment taught by men.”
Acts 26:9-10 English Standard Version
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
These words are a confession by the apostle Paul. This was a man thoroughly educated in God’s Word by Gamaliel perhaps the greatest theologian of his time. It was not until Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus that Paul emerged in the light of the Truth.
Do we hear Jesus in our hearts when others speak? Truth does no waiver.