“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23 KJV). I must admit that I worry too much about the times we live in. My weightier concern is the lack of overall respect for what the Word of God teaches. At one time, we Americans looked toward the Bible, the Word of God, as a supreme guide in the comportment of people. We notice that Matthew 23:23 indicated an overlooked or making light of “the weightier matters.” Too many of us exalt the fluffy things of this life and minimize the momentous. In our obedience, reflecting on the right and the wrong, we leave these God-given obligations unfulfilled. The “scribes and Pharisees” and mankind in general are engaging in the trivial matters of this life.
They were very strict and precise in the smaller matters of the law, but as careless and loose in the weightier matters, Mat 23:23, Mat 23:24. They were partial in the law (Mal 2:9), would pick and choose their duty, according as they were interested or stood affected. Sincere obedience is universal, and he that from a right principle obeys any of God’s precepts, will have respect to them all, Psa 119:6. But hypocrites, who act in religion for themselves, and not for God, will do no more in religion than they can serve a turn by for themselves. The partiality of the scribes and Pharisees appears here, in two instances. (Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible)
Great Concerns over the Changing
Ethical Direction of our Nation
Note the following: “The Jackson City Council has passed an anti-discrimination resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.” (Jackson, Mississippi, <https://bit.ly/1hX61Ey>). We wonder whether the time will come, and maybe sooner than we think, that preaching and teaching what the Bible says will be a crime. It is apparent that the passing of the anti-discrimination resolution will place the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender person in an exalted, weightier citizenship.
End Note: Blatantly mere men are mockingly changing God-given guideposts for mankind. No matter what manmade laws are enacted, God is still the author of moral and ethical fixed standards. God-fearing Christians are distressed over the trends we see today. As we see fixed or established laws being changed and enacted concerning sexual orientations that are contrary to human nature, we shudder. When will we return to God? God help us!
