The Encourager
“True Religion”
True Religion
by Jeff Curtis
Matthew 23 is often called “The ‘Woe’ Chapter” because of Jesus’ use of that term (Matthew 23:13,14,15,16,23,25,27,29). The word from the Greek translated as “woe,” indicates the Lord’s sorrow due to the spiritual state of the Jewish leaders, as well as the promised judgment that would fall on them. The scribes and the Pharisees were religious and zealous, but they were lacking in the qualities that are acceptable to God. Five lessons about true religion can be gained from this chapter.
- An act may be religious without being righteous (23:1-12). The Pharisees performed many religious acts, but often these were done only to be seen by men. They broadened their phylacteries and lengthened their tassels. They loved the position of authority of teaching and all of the perks that resulted from it, including seats of honor and reverential titles. The motives behind their acts invalidated them.
- An act may be religious without being beneficial (23:13,15). In fact, such acts might even be harmful. The Pharisees exerted great effort om making converts. The end result, however, was that these converts were even more corrupt that those who converted them.
- An act may be religious without being adequate (23:23). Jesus didn’t condemn the Pharisees for being faithful in minor things. For the Jews, tithing even the smallest of garden herbs and spices was a good thing. Instead, He condemned them for majoring in minors. While emphasizing the smallest matters, they neglected the more important things: justice, mercy and faithfulness.
- An act may be religiously visionary and idealistic but useless if it is not carried out (23:29-36). The Pharisees honored the tombs of the prophets, whom their forefathers had murdered; but they had not changed their hearts. They also mistreated and killed those sent by God in their time – Jesus and His disciples.
- Those who engage in religious acts that are wrong do not have to remain wrong forever (23:37-39). They can repent and be right with God. It is a fearsome error for one to reject the Lord permanently, but no one has to remain in an unsaved condition.
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Enoch Did Not See Death
by Heath Rogers
Genesis chapter 5 contains the genealogical record of Adam to Noah. A familiar phrase is found 8 times in this chapter – “and he died.” When men like Joshua and David said, “I am going the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14; 1 Kings 2:2), they were referring to their approaching deaths as a common experience of all mankind (Heb. 9:27).
The phrase “and he died” is found 8 times in Genesis chapter 5, but there are 9 men who are mentioned in the chapter. Of Enoch it is said, “So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:23-24). What exactly happened to Enoch?
Hebrews 11:5 clarifies the matter for us. “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (emphasis mine – HR). Enoch did not experience physical death.
One interesting note about Enoch’s being taken in Genesis 5 is that it is the first evidence in the Bible that man continues to exist after his physical life on earth is over. Enoch did not cease to exist. He was taken from this world to another place. This begins the Bible’s teaching on man’s eternal existence.
Job asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14), to which Jesus later responded, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). This physical life is not the entirety of our existence; it is just the beginning. Are you planning for eternity?
