Pharisee, Sadducee, or Surrendered?

Within the Sanhedrin there were two different groups called the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

If you were a Sadducee, it meant you were born into that position. There were, of course, other requirements, but it had to be part of your heritage.

But to be part of the Pharisees it didn't depend on the family you were born into; it was your hard work.

Becoming a Pharisee required an incredible amount of textual study and theological training.

Some fans are like the Sadducees. Their faith was something they were born into. It was never really something they chose.

Maybe when you were born your parents handed you a mask, and you grew up acting like Christians act, talking how Christians talked, listening to the music Christians listened to; but you never fell in love with Jesus.

Your faith has always been more about honoring your heritage than surrendering your heart.

On the other hand, some fans are like the Pharisees. They would measure their faith by their hard work at learning and following the law. Their intellectual knowledge and behavioral compliance was the target they were aiming at. 

Both of these paths are dangerous, Jesus doesn't want us to depend upon our 'heritage' or depend upon our 'effort.' Jesus wants us to depend upon Him! Jesus desire's that we surrender everything that we are directly to Him.