Larry Osborne's book Accidental Pharisees warns against falling into the errors or Pharisaism in a quest for obedient discipleship. His book provides a warning against the sin of pride. He also warns against turning our gifts into rules for others to follow, and inadvertently twisting obedient discipleship into extra-biblical burdens. A few key points from the book:
When it comes to bruised reeds, smoldering wicks, and the weary saints, Pharisees have no patience. They pile on heavy burdens and lots of guilt. But they don’t lift a finger to make anything easier. They thin the herd at every opportunity. Not so with Jesus. The bruised reed he will not break. The smoldering wick he will not snuff out. To the weary and heavily burdened he offers rest, a light load, and an easy yoke. (Kindle location 349)
Now, obviously I’m not saying that we can live like hell and call ourselves disciples. The Bible is quite clear. If we genuinely know God and love him, we will keep his commandments. But I am saying that our definitions of what it means to be a genuine Christ follower must include room for the weak and the struggling, the frightened and the failing, in order to remain aligned with Jesus rather than with the Pharisees of old. Following Jesus is not a race to see who can be the most radical, sacrificial, knowledgeable, or quickest to burn out. It’s not a contest to see who’s willing to take the hardest road. That’s asceticism, not discipleship (Kindle location 2439)
Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith
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