Anachronism is when we read modern problems into ancient texts. It isn’t inherently bad or good and if used as a means to understand the Holy Spirits conviction in our own lives, is an amazing tool. But take a look at this drawing to understand the problems with reading an ancient text out of context and for the sake of the law, forsaking Gods mercy.
The Bible does apply to modern times when it is Gods Voice speaking into our lives through His Word and the Holy Spirits conviction. But when a legalist or Pharisee uses it for the purpose of upholding the law, it becomes a took of manipulation and the text is taken out of context. This image shows how Pharisees search for rule and proofs of why others are evil or don’t “follow” as well as they do. It defeats the purpose of the law, which is not to keep us caged in, but to give us freedom and protection. Legalistic Pharisees believe they have a special “understanding” of the Word that allows them to point out all the rules and laws that modern society is breaking. The truth is when you are in relationship with God, those borders are set up to protect us and when we get close to them, we become convicted by the Spirit. Legalists though, instead of being convicted, stand close to the borders, pointing out unbelievers just on the other side and calling out condemnations. They don’t realize in fact that they could be standing on that sinful side of the border themselves, outside of Gods grace, and far from relationship with God. They care so greatly for the boundaries that they sacrifice their relationship with Christ.
When we follow Christ, our aim should be closeness with him. Mimicking his footsteps and His ways. We won’t find ourselves close to borders which dont concern us if we are busy looking at our savior.
Song of Solomon speaks of not letting the little foxes into our garden. They will eat the buds off the vines before they have a chance to produce fruit. We shouldn’t even go near the boundaries, not even to observe. The Holy Spirit is strong and mighty enough to convict people from the borders. Let God be God and come back to the Masters feet. Instead of judging, let us be servants.Matthew 23:13-3213 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.[14] [b]
15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
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