Complete English translation
Who is the Pharisee?
The Pharisees were the most famous and respected religious group in the time of Jesus. However, they are the ones who are the examples of people who are rejected by heaven.
The Most Religious
They are religious teachers, and are considered spiritual role models by the Jewish community.
Emphasize Obedience
They fast, give offerings, pray, and memorize various religious rules and Bible verses.
Rejecting and Crucifixing Jesus
But even though they knew the law and prophecy, they rejected the Messiah because Jesus did not meet their expectations.
The Pharisees are a symbol of human righteousness — on the outside they look holy, but the heart is full of pride.
Truth (Righteousness) received by Allah - Not from Humans
Jesus Came to Fulfill the Law
"Do not think that I have come to annihile the law or the books of the prophets. I have not come to annihize it, but to fulfill it"
"If your religious life is not truer than the religious life of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." – Matthew 5:17, 20 (TB)
Problems in Indonesian Translation:
The New Translation of the Bible translates "righteousness" as "religious life", which sounds like religious activity or outward piety.
But the original Greek word that Jesus used was δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē), which means: "Truth" or "the state of being in the right relationship with God."
So what Jesus meant was not: "Your worship must be more diligent than the Pharisees," but: "Your relationship with God must be more righteous than theirs — otherwise, you will not enter Heaven."
Law is a reflection of God's Character
Breaking the law means rebelling against God, and the Bible clearly says, breaking 1 law, is the same as breaking the whole.
So how is it possible for humans to obey all the laws of the Torah without fail?
Jesus knew it was impossible for humans, and His disciples also realized it in the events in Matthew 19:16-26.
"His disciples were very astonished and said: 'If so, who can be saved?'"
Listen carefully to Jesus' answer: "For man this is impossible, but for God everything is possible." So... have you found the key to heaven?
Jesus Fulfills the Law and Becomes Truth (Righteousness) for Us
Humans Are Not Able to Fulfill the Law
There is not a single human being who is able to obey the entire law perfectly. We can't bring 80% of the truth and then expect God to add the remaining 20%.
Only the perfect truth of Christ is enough. God's standard is absolute holiness, and whoever fails in just one part, fails all. Heaven does not accept compromises.
"For whoever obeys the whole law, but neglects a part of it, is guilty of the whole." - James 2:10
Jesus Becomes the Truth for Us
Jesus didn't just teach the truth — He became the truth itself, and gave it to us who believe.
"He who does not know sin has made sin for us, so that in Him we may be justified by God" - 2 Corinthians 5:21
"But through Him you are in Christ Jesus, who through God has become wisdom for us. He justifies and sanctifies and redeems us." – 1 Corinthians 1:30
When we face the Father, who can declare that we are right before Him? Ourselves, or Father?
Then When and How Are We Made Right in Front of Allah?
Not through effort, not with ritual, not with good deeds —but with faith that believes and relies entirely on Jesus. True faith produces obedience.
"That is the truth of God because of faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." – Romans 3:22
"Therefore, we who are justified by faith, we live in peace with God because of our Lord, Jesus Christ." – Romans 5:1
Pay close attention: There is not a single verse that says that we are justified before Allah because of our actions, obedience, or offerings.
The Bible clearly teaches that we are justified only because of faith in Jesus Christ.
How to Recognize the Teachings of the Phariseees in Today?
"Beware and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." – Matthew 16:5
Pharisee: Emphasizing "Reconditions" to be Saved
Teaching that frames the concept of being the bride of Christ as something that must be achieved through the fulfillment of certain conditions.
Bible: Salvation is a gift, not the result of fulfilling the requirements of deeds
Are you that stupid? You have begun with the Spirit, will you now end it in the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)
Pharisee: "White robe" is explained as the result of being a performer of the Word
Teaching that replaces grace with personal effort.
Salvation is described as soap only "works" if we rub it (action)
Bible: "White robe" (righteousness) is given by God not the result of human deeds
Because He clothed me with a garment of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousness (righteousness) (Isaiah 61:10)
Pharisee: Faith must "pass the test", and be measured by the "Standard of the Word" to determine our eligibility
Teaching that we must be worthy first before being accepted.
As if salvation is a reward for the worthy, not a gift for those who believe.
Bible: The test of faith is not for eligibility but to purify the faith that has been saved
The purpose of all that is to prove the purity of your faith (1 Peter 1:7)
FATAL ERRORS OF PHARISEE TEACHING:
Creating salvation and identity as Christ's bride depends on performance.
Making the Word standard as a measure of feasibility, not as a mirror of growth.
Replace the award with the graduation system.
Conclusion: Beware of Pharisees' yeast.
Jesus warned us to be careful of the Pharisee leaven - a teaching that subtly replaces grace with human effort, and keeps people away from true salvation. This yeast deceives by pretending to be piety, but in essence teaches: "You must prove yourself worthy first before God accepts you."
However, the truth of the Bible is very clear: No human being is capable of being righteous before God with his own strength. Even the most religious person will not enter Heaven without the truth that comes from God himself. "No one is right, no one is." – Romans 3:10
Jesus fulfilled all the laws, became the truth from God for us, those who believe in Him are justified, forgiven, and accepted as His bride.