It may sound strange, but as Christians, in particular, submission is our most powerful weapon. The key to victory, when warring against a real enemy, is not only that we properly identify the enemy, but we must first know to whom we are to submit, and what that submission looks like.
What is seen from the outside can often be a facade. Pretense is not only manipulative, but hypocritical. At best, rituals, even religious ones, are but an outward expression of whatever belief one espouses. But, faith in God, first and foremost, requires inward submission to Christ's teachings. Therefore, when we are in Christ (where there is now no condemnation) our primary focus is sincere honor from the heart, mind, and soul; not just going through ritualistic motions. That's just a bunch of bull s.......
HEAD COVERINGS:
In the ancient world, a woman's hair was a symbol of modesty and submission to her husband.
Paul used the analogy of hair and marriage, in connection with prayer and prophecy, as a representation of the relationship between the church and Christ. Christ, the husbandman, is the head of all churches: And, just as a woman's hair is symbolic of her submission to her husband, likewise must the church submit to the power and authority of her husband, Christ. Christ is not just some man, that we seek to put a face on, Christ is "The Word of God."
The covering or uncovering of one's head is but one of many of man's traditions initiated by the church. But just like the ceremonial "washing of hands," though customary in the temple, it is not necessarily representative of Christ's character. Therefore, depending on the spirit with which rituals are performed, they can be profane in God's eyes.
More important than rituals, is that we strive to be Christ-like. We must not knowingly defile His statutes. Certainly, telling someone to kiss your rear-end, whether verbally or in gesture (in the name of Jesus?) is diabolical work. In what scripture did Jesus instruct such behavior? Surely, you have free will to do as you please. But, honor is this, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" Psalm 2:12
Rather than submission, through the process of faith and honor, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who held prominent positions in the church, relied heavily upon rituals, usually for self grandeur. Therefore, according to Dr. Luke, when a certain woman used their very own symbolic rituals of hair, kissing, and water (represented by her tears) to honor Jesus in the spirit of submission, those who lacked understanding, were altogether confounded, and responded to her selfless worship in absolute anger.
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:44-47
Those religious leaders withheld the acceptable offering of honor, which Jesus so rightly deserved. No doubt, they put on a big display. But that was all about showing Jesus their majesty, complete with long tassels and all of their rituals. But, recognizing His sovereignty, this woman, using what she had, gave her all to acknowledge how great Jesus was. She bowed before Him in humility and adoration. She did not seek her own way by disrespectfully flipping her hair or rubbing her head, as though He was some good luck charm. She served Him in submission. So you see, it wasn't about hair; it was about submission. And, to be certain, to kiss one's feet is submission on a whole other level. Therefore, while they were busy pointing the punitive finger, ready to cast her out, Jesus's displeasure had already been kindled against them.
The devil knows that distraction brings about destruction. Rituals without righteousness is nothing more than vain superstition, which translates into witchcraft. And like I had begun to say previously, that's just a bunch of bull sacrifices. "Obedience is better than sacrifice."
Though sports is a factor in my assignment, a city's walls is the nucleus. Therefore a city must keep her eyes on the true prize, salvation. In other words, the focus should not be on the inanimate reward, but rather on what pleases the rewarder: Honor, through submission to His instructions.
God multiplies what we give. If our offering to Him is overwrought of rituals; rituals is what is multiplied.
What is seen from the outside can often be a facade. Pretense is not only manipulative, but hypocritical. At best, rituals, even religious ones, are but an outward expression of whatever belief one espouses. But, faith in God, first and foremost, requires inward submission to Christ's teachings. Therefore, when we are in Christ (where there is now no condemnation) our primary focus is sincere honor from the heart, mind, and soul; not just going through ritualistic motions. That's just a bunch of bull s.......
HEAD COVERINGS:
In the ancient world, a woman's hair was a symbol of modesty and submission to her husband.
Paul used the analogy of hair and marriage, in connection with prayer and prophecy, as a representation of the relationship between the church and Christ. Christ, the husbandman, is the head of all churches: And, just as a woman's hair is symbolic of her submission to her husband, likewise must the church submit to the power and authority of her husband, Christ. Christ is not just some man, that we seek to put a face on, Christ is "The Word of God."
The covering or uncovering of one's head is but one of many of man's traditions initiated by the church. But just like the ceremonial "washing of hands," though customary in the temple, it is not necessarily representative of Christ's character. Therefore, depending on the spirit with which rituals are performed, they can be profane in God's eyes.
More important than rituals, is that we strive to be Christ-like. We must not knowingly defile His statutes. Certainly, telling someone to kiss your rear-end, whether verbally or in gesture (in the name of Jesus?) is diabolical work. In what scripture did Jesus instruct such behavior? Surely, you have free will to do as you please. But, honor is this, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" Psalm 2:12
Rather than submission, through the process of faith and honor, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who held prominent positions in the church, relied heavily upon rituals, usually for self grandeur. Therefore, according to Dr. Luke, when a certain woman used their very own symbolic rituals of hair, kissing, and water (represented by her tears) to honor Jesus in the spirit of submission, those who lacked understanding, were altogether confounded, and responded to her selfless worship in absolute anger.
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Luke 7:44-47
Those religious leaders withheld the acceptable offering of honor, which Jesus so rightly deserved. No doubt, they put on a big display. But that was all about showing Jesus their majesty, complete with long tassels and all of their rituals. But, recognizing His sovereignty, this woman, using what she had, gave her all to acknowledge how great Jesus was. She bowed before Him in humility and adoration. She did not seek her own way by disrespectfully flipping her hair or rubbing her head, as though He was some good luck charm. She served Him in submission. So you see, it wasn't about hair; it was about submission. And, to be certain, to kiss one's feet is submission on a whole other level. Therefore, while they were busy pointing the punitive finger, ready to cast her out, Jesus's displeasure had already been kindled against them.
The devil knows that distraction brings about destruction. Rituals without righteousness is nothing more than vain superstition, which translates into witchcraft. And like I had begun to say previously, that's just a bunch of bull sacrifices. "Obedience is better than sacrifice."
Though sports is a factor in my assignment, a city's walls is the nucleus. Therefore a city must keep her eyes on the true prize, salvation. In other words, the focus should not be on the inanimate reward, but rather on what pleases the rewarder: Honor, through submission to His instructions.
God multiplies what we give. If our offering to Him is overwrought of rituals; rituals is what is multiplied.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15
Interesting fact: God favored the prostitutes who honored Him; but those, like Jezebel, who came against His prophets, He destroyed.
