How To Be a Good Pharisee

Above all a good Pharisee must appear as; 

christian, holy, righteous, spiritual, leader, involved, caring, pious, committed, devoted, godly, reverent, god-fearing

Godly traits to be sure, however when exhibited by Pharisees they are for appearance-sake traits as religious mask covering the true personality. A personality not of a leader nor of a servant but rather a self-serving leader that are religious for personal gain; caring for personal gain, involved for personal gain, a leader for personal gain, always seeking that of personal gain. Therefore they must con by appearance outwardly to deceive while inwardly seek for personal gain. Thus Pharisees are hypocrites-actors.

True servant leaders are the antithesis of these self-seeking traits.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness’ Matt. 23:27

~ Michael Smith

Destiny vs God's Purposes

For a number of years I have heard messages on destiny and what that might entail. Told that as Christians we have a destiny we are to seek or to enter. The problem I have had is whenever I would hear the words “My Destiny” or “Our Destiny” I felt a sense of, well “Me” Could God have a place for “Me” to enter and have “My Destiny” planed that need to seek this place for me? In some ways it smells of fleshly self as in “Me” Could it really be about “Me” though? How much I get, how much I attain, how much I benefit? Destiny sounds good in a worldly sorta way, but there sure are many “I’s” and “Me’s” in that destiny seeking stuff that is troubling. 

Having never been a strong proponent of “destiny” teachings as they can reek of twisted teaching. I prefer the term, the purposes of God” Now that is a view I can support and most importantly scripturally support. As I pick up the cross daily and die to the self of “Me” I no longer desire to seek out “My Destiny” rather I choose to seek the purposes and plans of God for a lost and dying world whereas I find true freedom, true relationship and true purpose and not the self serving pursuit of “My Destiny”

~ Michael Smith