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Once again we pause to set forth a too often forgotten biblical principle which transcends the ages. This principle is the genesis for the title of this entire series of devotional articles. Hosea penned the principle (Hosea 6.6) and Jesus found it expedient to restate it on at least two occasions (Matthew 9.13 and Matthew 12.7). Not only did He restate the principle, but He explicitly told some to “Go and learn what this means!” It was God who said, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” and it is this principle upon which we as God-fearing believers are dependent.

Having been reared in a climate that promoted the absolute need for doctrinal purity, I have witnessed communities, congregations, couples, cousins, and “clergy” literally torn apart by a relentless quest for the holy grail of doctrinal purity. It is not a laughing matter when two sisters cannot be in fellowship with one another because one of them thinks it is alright for the church to have Sunday school classes while the other thinks that the division of the Lord’s Day Assembly for such matters is a sin. Yet, this and scores of other issues of similar character have relentlessly divided the church in which I was raised for as long as I can remember. I have no doubt that doctrinal purity is needed, but I question just whose doctrine are we really trying to keep pure! It is this climate that has produced generations who have emphasized the form of worship (sacrifice) over the attitude behind our relationship to God (mercy).

It simply cannot be as complicated as we have made it. I have known devout Christians who have spent decades of in-depth study on matters of “doctrine” only to come to conclusions that directly contradict the conclusions of equally devout and studious people. We can be quick to judge and say that someone just wasn’t being honest, but is that really the answer? It is entirely possible that the doctrines that we have been trying to keep pure are human doctrines and not God’s doctrines. If that is the case, it is no wonder that we have failed to come to a point of doctrinal purity! God has promised to protect His word as well as the fact His word will not return to Him void, but He has made no such promises about the doctrines and commandments of men. In fact, He has warned about the futility of “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” and the fact that those who do so worship Him in vain (see Matthew 15.1-9). When doctrine cannot be easily and readily understood by the common people, I conclude that it is different from the doctrine which Jesus preached. I conclude this because “…the common people heard Him [Jesus] gladly.” (Mark 12.37).

The principle again is this: God desires mercy (an attitude of heart) and not sacrifice (an outward form of worship). Forms of worship can be achieved without any reformation of heart and God knows that all too well. The biblical pages are dotted with characters who had more allegiance to form than to substance (they desired sacrifice and not mercy). The Pharisees were one such group. Although they appeared pure on the outside, they were corrupt on the inside. Jesus likened them to tombs filled with dead men’s bones as well as cups that had been meticulously cleaned on the outside but whose inside surfaces had been totally neglected. This, dear reader, is the fruit of such a tree. When mercy is neglected for the sake of sacrifice, the fruit speaks for itself.

The challenge which seems to make sense for all ages is the challenge to determine just what doctrines are of God and which ones are of men. To me, it would seem that when the pure doctrine of God is taught, the fruit will also be pure. Contrariwise, when the doctrines of men are taught, division and strife of all sorts will be the result. Side with God and desire mercy (attitude of heart) over sacrifice (form of worship). (Continued)

Questions:

1. What was the second occasion that prompted Jesus to quote Hosea 6.6? Of what was He accused?

2. In Matthew 15, what group of people accused Jesus of breaking the traditions of the fathers? In turn, of what did He accuse them? Which would be “the greater sin”; the one of which Jesus was accused or the one of which He accused His accusers?

3. Do you agree that God’s doctrines can be understood by the common people? Why or why not? When the common people cannot understand a doctrine, what implications follow?

4. What fruit might one expect when the doctrines of men are taught in place of the doctrine of God?

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Trusting God Yields Happiness