… and their harsh treatment of the body …
Summary: Paul completes his list of examples of the characteristics of worldly rules.
So far, Paul has given us three clues to help us recognize worldly religious “rules.”
The first clue was that a religious rule would have the “appearance of wisdom.” This, we decided, would look like wisdom, but it would not be rooted in the fear of the Lord. By the same token, real wisdom brings with it knowledge and understanding. False wisdom, on the other hand, does not satisfy the intellect. Finally, real wisdom is “pleasant to your soul,” while the other kind leaves a bitter taste.
The second clue has to do with its influence on our worship of God. Like wisdom, true worship is rooted in God: specifically the love of God. Worldly religious rules do not generate true worship. Instead, the world’s rules rely on “self-imposed worship.”
The third clue points us to the kind of humility we see in those who promote the rules. The humility of Jesus testified to the authenticity of his message. The one who demands worldly rules relies on a fake, or “false humility.”
Finally, we arrive at the fourth clue. Paul tells us that worldly rules demand “harsh treatment of the body.”
What does this mean?
In one story about Jesus and his disciples, Jesus is asked why his disciples don’t fast like the Pharisees (Mark 2:18-20). Denying the body food, of course, is “harsh treatment of the body.”
Jesus replies:
“How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.” (Mark 2:19-20)
In this simple statement, Jesus explains the difference between a religious fast and one motivated by our relationship with God.
God, himself, tells us this when he speaks through the prophet Hosea and says, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)
Application: Take Paul’s clues to heart.
Food for Thought: How is the harsh treatment of the body connected to feeling self-righteous?
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How is the harsh treatment of the body connected to feeling self-righteous?
Righteousness is not a fruit of mankind, but a truth given to the humble by God. All actions of our bodies are a manifestation of a spiritual reality. As we focus on the Do’s revealed by God, we will find we have no desire or time for the Don’t’s
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Philippians 2:3, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
2 Corinthians 10:18, For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
I obedience to God, we are to:
Matthew 6:33, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Romans 8:4, So that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Philippians 2:13, For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.