Beware, We're None Of Us Yet Perfected

Jesus speaking: 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."  Matthew 23:27-28 (NKJV)

I believe firmly that such people still exist today. 

In fact, mankind has used what God graciously offered to him, in terms of His word and relationship, to create institutionalized religion in a number of places. And some of those have existed from a time not long after Christ's burial and resurrection- the events that signaled the power of His humbleness to conquer vast and powerful evil. It was Christ, who set aside His right title and position to LOWER Himself, for the benefit of all mankind, to suffer horrifically at the hands of His own creation, that fulfilled victory forever over all evil-including death, in the most epic war of all time. 

We need to see that Jesus did not force anyone to call Him "father", or force them to kiss His ring as He walked among men. He didn't tout His position- though He rightly could have. It was not Christ clinging to rightful title or position, it was not Christ manipulating scripture in sly ways, or His use of mankind's physical might, that gave Him divine victory and the highest esteem of His Father for eternity. It was His willingness to to sacrifice Himself in the most self effacing ways in order to offer salvation to those that God desires. It was this that wielded the divine, omnipotent power to seize victory. Where do we find those actually demonstrating their following of Christ's spirit and example in the world? I would expect that they don't tout their own position, proclaim the number of their followers or give themselves authority. I personally look for those who "teach" the word of God with careful fidelity and in context, and are helping to bring the light of understanding, both by and through the Holy Spirit, and demonstrate the self effacing heart of Christ's own spirit as they follow Him with true passion.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."  Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV)

Those who turn relationship with God into man-designed institution that gives themselves power over the ignorant and disadvantaged, will find themselves without excuse when God's judgment comes to face them down. Those in positions of authority who had access to the truth and yet failed to use it to the advantage of God's Kingdom- thus setting their ill-gotten captives free, will one day find themselves standing before Christ without excuse to justify their own selfishness and for the loss of any due to their account before Him.

"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”  Acts 5:29-32 (NKJV) 

Those who take God's introduction, revelation of Himself and His appeal to mankind and turn it into something that gives themselves authoritative position over others rather than being mere messengers of God's courtship of mankind for His own purpose and His instruction, are indeed corrupting His message and are worthy of His response against them. Is there any hope that they'll they escape it? None. Beware.

"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.  And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."  2 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)

Friends, there are many good, godly, and God fearing teachers out there. If you wish to have greater hope of finding them and guarding against the other kind, your personal  knowledge and study of what God's said- for yourself, will help provide a sieve through which to sift their teaching to be more certain. Even those who teach rightly and truthfully should be continually sifted - not with any suspicion, but because even the most ardent follower of Christ is still potentially subject to an occasional mistake if they're not careful. We're none of us yet perfected.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NKJ)

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it."  Deuteronomy 10:12-14 (NKJ)