Het juk der mensen – Mattheüs 23:4

“Want zij binden zware lasten bijeen, die moeilijk te dragen zijn, en leggen die op de schouders van de mensen; maar zijzelf willen die met hun vinger niet verroeren.”
— Mattheüs 23:4

Ik ken verschillende mensen die het juk der mensen hebben gedragen.
Niet het zachte juk van Christus, maar de zware lasten die mensen opleggen.

Een jonge man vertelde mij hoe hij vroeger verplicht naar catechisatie moest.
Elke zondag móést hij mee naar de kerk.
Zondagse kleren aan, vaste rituelen, vaste regels — zo hoorde het.

Maar het moeten drukte zwaar op zijn schouders.
Er was geen levend geloof, geen persoonlijke relatie met God.
Het geloof was een systeem geworden, geen leven.

Jaren later sprak ik hem opnieuw.
Hij had voorspoed gekregen in zijn leven.
Werk, stabiliteit, succes.

Ik vroeg hem:
“Aan wie heb je deze voorspoed allemaal te danken?”

Zijn antwoord kwam zonder aarzeling:
“Aan mijzelf natuurlijk.”

Geen besef van genade.
Geen dankbaarheid richting God.
Niet omdat God hem nooit was aangeboden,
maar omdat Hij ooit werd gepresenteerd als een last in plaats van een Vader.

Een vrouw vertelde mij iets soortgelijks.
Ook zij moest verplicht mee naar de kerk.
Niet uit verlangen, maar uit dwang.
Langzaam groeide weerstand, zelfs afkeer.
Het juk werd zwaarder dan zij kon dragen.
Zonder levend geloof eindigde zij als iemand die God losliet.

En dan een vriend van mij.
Hij kreeg een relatie met een “christelijke” vrouw.
Maar wat hij ontmoette was geen genade —
het was religieuze druk, controle en geestelijke manipulatie.

Niet door Gods Woord,
maar door menselijke regels en interpretaties
werd hem voortdurend schuld aangepraat.

Op een zondag hielp hij iemand met autopech.
Een daad van barmhartigheid.
Maar in plaats van vreugde werd er schuld opgelegd.

Niet door God,
maar door een mens
die meende namens God te spreken.

Dat schuldgevoel werd hem aangepraat,
ingepraat,
opgelegd.

Toen zei hij:
“Als dit geloof is, dan geloof ik liever nergens in.”

Dit zijn drie verhalen.
Maar er zijn er velen meer.

Zoveel mensen zijn afgedreven door het juk der mensen,
zonder ooit het ware evangelie te hebben gehoord.
Niet door Christus, maar door religie zonder leven.
Door wetticisme.

Paulus waarschuwt hier ook voor.
Hoewel hij spreekt over de Joodse wet,
is de boodschap vandaag nog net zo actueel:
wij zijn niet geroepen om onder menselijke lasten te leven.

Wij zijn vrijgekocht door Jezus Christus.

Groet, Richard

Translation of the Dutch Christian Vault post:


The Yoke of Men - Matthew 23:4

"For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
— Matthew 23:4

I know several people who have borne the yoke of men.
Not the gentle yoke of Christ, but the heavy burdens that people impose.

A young man told me how he used to be obliged to attend catechism.
Every Sunday, he had to go to church.
Wearing Sunday clothes, following fixed rituals, obeying strict rules - that's how it was supposed to be.

But it must have weighed heavily on his shoulders.
There was no living faith, no personal relationship with God.
Faith had become a system, not a way of life.

Years later, I spoke to him again.
He had achieved success in his life.
Work, stability, success.

I asked him:
"To whom do you owe all this success?"

His answer came without hesitation:
"To myself, of course."

No sense of grace.
No gratitude towards God.
Not because God was never offered to him,
but because He was once presented as a burden instead of a Father.

A woman told me something similar.
She too was obliged to attend church.
Not out of desire, but out of compulsion.
Slowly, resistance grew, even aversion.
The yoke became heavier than she could bear.
Without living faith, she ended up abandoning God.

And then a friend of mine.
He got into a relationship with a "Christian" woman.
But what he encountered was not grace -
it was religious pressure, control, and spiritual manipulation.

Not through God's Word,
but through human rules and interpretations,
he was constantly accused of guilt.

On a Sunday, he helped someone with a car breakdown.
An act of mercy.
But instead of joy, guilt was imposed on him.

Not by God,
but by a man
who claimed to speak on behalf of God.

That sense of guilt was instilled in him,
impressed upon him,
imposed on him.

Then he said:
"If this is faith, then I'd rather not believe in anything at all."

These are three stories.
But there are many more.

So many people have been led astray by the yoke of men,
without ever hearing the true gospel.
Not by Christ, but by religion without life.
By legalism.

Paul also warns against this.
Although he speaks about the Jewish law,
the message is still just as relevant today:
we are not called to live under human burdens.

We have been redeemed by Jesus Christ.

Greetings, Richard

https://t.me/Dutchchristianvault/930

✨️ This is very sad to have to see: people so religious that they drive others away from the Lord our God. I truly pray these people will become aware of how far away from God they are... S.N. 🙏🏽🕊

Scripture often speaks of a truthful, godly life using the imagery of a straight, clear path

( ~ Proverbs 3:6; ~ Isaiah 26:7 )

This is the meaning of the term

            "blameless"

No one can legitimately accuse the righteous of wrongdoing

Although they are not perfect...

They live above reproach

They walk with God in humble dependence on Him

Jesus said His sheep...

Those who are true believers...

Know His voice and follow Him

They take the same road He takes

               ( ~ John 10:4 )

Truly righteous people walk in the Spirit

              ( ~ Galatians 5:16 )

They walk in a manner worthy of their calling

              ( ~Ephesians 4:1 )

They walk in love

              ( ~ Ephesians 5:1 )

And they walk carefully

              ( ~ Ephesians 5:15 )

By contrast...

The wicked conduct themselves in a way that is right in their own eyes

But wrong in the Lord's eyes

              ( ~ Proverbs 14:12 )

They pursue evil

And they are at enmity with God


Part 1 / 2

Part 2 continues...

That rejection of truth and godliness often leads the wicked into destruction

In many cases...

If not most...

Those who pursue evil in life suffer the consequences of those sins

Their wickedness brings unrest like the churning waves of the sea

God says...

"'The wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked'"

( ~ Isaiah 57:20–21)

The wicked have unrest in this life an also in eternity


Many of the proverbs in this section deal with contrasts between those who are righteous

And those who are wicked

Righteous people follow

God's Will

Bring Honor and Blessing

On themselves

And have Hope


Evil people disobey God

Bring trouble on others

Are hated

And their lives lead to

Disasters



My Prayer today...

Lord,

I acknowledge the times I've fallen short or chosen my own selfish ways

Forgive me, and deliver me from the ruin my own wickedness brings


Help me God, to be honest with myself and others

Choosing Your way of truth

knowing that it's the best way to live

And avoid the traps of my own making

I don't want to rely on others' righteousness

Or blame their failures

Give me the strength to walk in personal righteousness

Trusting You to deliver me

Not my own flawed efforts

I Pray this today in the Name of

Jesus Our Lord And Savior

Amen

🙏

📖 Bibleverse of the Day 🕯 🌅 ✨️
Friday — January 16, 2026 🖋

"Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips."
~ Psalms 16:4 | KJB

In this verse, we are reminded that pursuing false gods or idols leads to multiplied sorrows. It forms a contrast to our devotion to the true God. As David declares in this verse that he will not join in pagan rites, offer blood sacrifices (libations), or even speak the names of other gods, and chooses God as his sole portion and delight, we must aspire the same faithfulness to God while we acknowledge the emptiness of idolatry. We may understand that true satisfaction comes only from the Lord, NOT from worldly alternatives...

Have a blessed day 🙏🏽🕊

In life, we cannot pray in love and live in hate and bitterness and still think we are worshipping God. Choose to be kind because it pleases God. People can be mean. Don;t take it personally. It say's nothing about you but a lot about them. Bitterness is a result of clinging onto negative experiences. It serves you no good and closes the door to your future. Choose to forgive. Be with those who bring out the best in you. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) - The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of those who are strong in Christ. There is nothing more classy and powerful than showing forgiveness and grace to someone who does not deserve it. So forgive them, bless them and pray for those hurting you. May you examine your heart to be sincere and pure in the eyes of God. Here are 7 Bible verses to encourage you.

Part 1/2

(Continued)

7 Bible verses on forgiveness:

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:14-15

So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” - Luke 17:3-4

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:31-32

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. - Isaiah 43:25-26

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” - Mark 11:25

PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for your wonderful ways in my life. Bless me with the wonderful power of forgiveness, and give me the grace to unconditionally forgive those who have done me wrong. Give me the strength to let go of all ill-will, the strength to forgive myself of my own failings and sins, knowing that you have already forgiven me. Free me of all anger, bitterness, hate and un-forgiveness. Help me to be kind and to give grace to those who hurt me. Help me to love and forgive. I love you and thank you father for freeing me from bitterness. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Part 2/2

Is Muhammad Prophesied in The Bible?

In this powerful debate, brave Christian women stand firm on Scripture: Muhammad is NOT prophesied in the Bible. The “Comforter” (Parakletos) in John 14-16 is clearly the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus to indwell believers forever, teach truth, testify of Christ, and convict the world (fulfilled at Pentecost).
No room for a later prophet preaching a different gospel (Galatians 1:8-9 warns even angels bringing “another” are accursed). Deuteronomy 18 points to a prophet like Moses from among Israelites…Jesus fulfills it perfectly as our eternal Mediator.

Praise God for sisters defending the faith with wisdom and love! The Bible stands unchanging. Jesus is the way, truth, and life…no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). ✝️🙏
𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮

For everyone who thinks in colors the words in the image are a good reminder to not focus on these worldly things. Jesus came here to save us, asking us to focus on Him from the needs of our spirits – not on the needs of our bodies. This is what being born again means.

"For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost."
~ Matthew 18:11 | KJB

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
~ John 3:17 | KJB

> > > ♡ < < <

Good Day, precious family wishing everyone a blessed beautiful morning/afternoon/evening/night,

May you be filled with the peace of Christ Jesus 🙏🕊🦋🌼🌷

Maranatha 🙏🕊🦋🌷🌼🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺

Grab Some ☕️

Invite A Friend
&
Come Join in

Sunday Morning

9 AM ET / 8 CT

~ Live Chat ~


𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕃𝔸𝕊𝕋 ℍ🕛𝕌ℝ
https://t.me/+28hwPA96jV9kODRh

𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕃𝔸𝕊𝕋 ℍ🕛𝕌ℝ ~ chat pg.
https://t.me/+HeIKbrhwICFjOWM0

Hahaha 😂👇🏽

January 16, 2026

Sight

T𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔬𝔫𝔩𝔶 𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔰𝔥
F𝔬𝔯 𝔭𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔢𝔢
T𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔢
A 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔢𝔡 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔶

W𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔦𝔰 𝔪𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔱
A𝔫𝔡 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔪𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫
J𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔬𝔯𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫
T𝔬 𝔱𝔬𝔱𝔞𝔩 𝔬𝔟𝔩𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔬𝔫

N𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔦𝔰
W𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔦𝔱 𝔰𝔢𝔢𝔪𝔰 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔞𝔱 𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱 𝔰𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱;
T𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢'𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔴𝔞𝔶𝔰 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔢𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔦𝔱
T𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔠𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔰𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱

✨️ 𝓢𝓸𝓻𝓪𝔂𝓪𝓝𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓪 ✨️


I wrote this short poem yesterday as a reflection on what we see around us in the world. And it's meant as a reminder to fix your eyes on Jesus, even though the poem itself doesn't explicitly say so... Hebrews 12:2

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:12

[PRAYER]
We didn't choose You, You chose us! Chosen because You love us and long for us to live holy lives. I want to live a holy live! I want to clothe myself in deep compassion. Let your goodness flow through me. I want to be humble. Train me in gentleness and teach me to have patience with other people, including myself.
Jesus, thank you for choosing me to live a holy live.