Those who are well have no need of a Physician...

This morning I was very discouraged. I see so many falling for false doctrine. Believing things because it makes them feel good. I decided NOT to study, rather I got on my knees and talked with my Father in heaven. I expressed anguish. So many people falling into ditches. What should I do -what should I say to them? I do not want to argue but I do not want to see them headed to destruction without warning them. My heart aches. I hate that the devil has deceived so many people that seem so genuine. People I love and care about. I don’t want to be that Christian that seems like they are “judging” everyone. I know what they are believing is not biblical. Do I say something or stay silent?

Well, He answers quickly.

Mark 2:17  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:12-13 (NKJV) When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 5:31-32 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus dealt with the” righteous” or “the well” very briefly. The "righteous" and "the well" that Jesus was referring to were the Pharisees. They were not teachable…..He did not sit there and try and talk the Pharisees into believing. He would make a statement and literally walk away. It would make the “righteous” mad and angry. Today this can be applied to anyone that is not teachable. They think they are righteous, they think they know the scriptures but they want to believe what they want to believe. 

Many times these people have heard these things from various preachers and it “sounds good.” However, ignorance is not a plea. We are all called to study our bibles and find out for ourselves what the word actually says. When we see a brother or sister stumbling in the word, we are to offer help but ultimately they need to receive it. If pride gets in the way, all we can do is pray for them. Arguing doctrine is NOT biblical.

Jesus was actually quoting Hos 6:6

A Call to Repentance

Hosea 6:6-8 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,

And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

7 “But like men[a] they transgressed the covenant;

There they dealt treacherously with Me.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers

And defiled with blood.

Now the language of this can be confusing. Language evolves throughout time, so if we do not look up what these terms means when they were written, we will not understand correctly.

Mercy here means “loyalty” or “devotion.”

Knowledge of God does not refer to mere head knowledge, but rather "a genuine recognition of God’s authority that produces obedience to His commandments."

So the text would actually read:

I (God) desire loyalty/devotion and not sacrifice,

And a genuine recognition of My (Gods) authority that produces obedience to My (Gods) commandments.

But like men they transgressed the covenant;

There they dealt treacherously with Me.

This really helped me to understand. I am to give guidance but if it is not received, I am to walk away and shake the dust. I am not supposed to waste my time on the "righteous" or "the well." I am supposed to focus on those that know how much they truly need God. Those that will actually pick up their cross. The others are mere distractions and they are the "righteous" Jesus walked away from. 

The bottom line is if we love God, we will keep His commands (John 14:15).

The Man of God and the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:10-17 (NKJV) 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.