“Empty Words”


BIBLE READING: Mark 7
DISCUSSION                                                                 
               
Jesus quotes Isaiah when talking to the Pharisees and describing their vain worship. The Pharisees were great at keeping the law, but the law had no deeper meaning because they did not have love. They were guilty of going through the motions. Their legalistic mindset and rule-following helped them to feel holy, but they had no true, personal relationship with God.
The same can be said of us when we try to check all the boxes of “religion.” We may try to honor God with our actions, but actions done without love are empty. The prophet Amos tells the Israelites that God hates their feasts and festivals because His people don’t know the reasons for celebrating. Be sure our thoughts, words, and actions celebrate Jesus every day.


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