SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A REJECTION OF GOD'S LOVE
By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
Matt 21:32” For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”
The religious Jews of Jesus’ time were self opinionated and struggled with self righteousness mainly due to their genealogical links with Abraham and the fact that the ten commandments was given by God to the Jews through Moses. They imagined nobody had the authority to instruct them in matters concerning God therefore, the religious leaders rejected Jesus’ authority.
In the above parable Jesus revealed God's rejection of these religious bigots as a consequence to their rejection of His Son and emphasizing that it was those who do the will of God who are actually the ones vested with God's authority to represent Him on earth. These religious leaders were synonymous with disobeying the laws of Moses and were quick to reprimand those who did likewise.
Unlike these religious bigots, the publicans and harlots had no form of godliness, but were quick to come to repentance when confronted with their sins. Many of them were known to surrender to God through the ministry of prophet John as they sought God’s mercy .These religious Jews disqualified themselves from being God's messengers while playing the role of Moses because of their hypocrisy and insensitivity. On the other hand, the publicans and harlots were preferred above them , because they truly loved God and were willing to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ . The greatest undoing of most religious persons is the false sense of self-righteousness; that is to honour the Lord based on human standards which often involves externalism :the open display of worship without a heart commitment.
On the other hand ,these sinners acknowledged their sins and imperfections and saw the need for a saviour who could guarantee salvation , thus ,they have a better chance at entering the kingdom of God ahead of the very religious Jews. The worst form of self destruction among religious people is that of self-righteousness and it is the deception that salvation could be attained by a person's good deeds. This is a symptom of pride and places the burden of salvation on man and it totally eliminates the need for a saviour and portrays God as unjust, unloving and evil . Imagining evil against your neighbour makes you a sinner and as guilty as the person who physically does the evil.
The religious Jews of Jesus’ time were self opinionated and struggled with self righteousness mainly due to their genealogical links with Abraham and the fact that the ten commandments was given by God to the Jews through Moses. They imagined nobody had the authority to instruct them in matters concerning God therefore, the religious leaders rejected Jesus’ authority.
In the above parable Jesus revealed God's rejection of these religious bigots as a consequence to their rejection of His Son and emphasizing that it was those who do the will of God who are actually the ones vested with God's authority to represent Him on earth. These religious leaders were synonymous with disobeying the laws of Moses and were quick to reprimand those who did likewise.
Unlike these religious bigots, the publicans and harlots had no form of godliness, but were quick to come to repentance when confronted with their sins. Many of them were known to surrender to God through the ministry of prophet John as they sought God’s mercy .These religious Jews disqualified themselves from being God's messengers while playing the role of Moses because of their hypocrisy and insensitivity. On the other hand, the publicans and harlots were preferred above them , because they truly loved God and were willing to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ . The greatest undoing of most religious persons is the false sense of self-righteousness; that is to honour the Lord based on human standards which often involves externalism :the open display of worship without a heart commitment.
On the other hand ,these sinners acknowledged their sins and imperfections and saw the need for a saviour who could guarantee salvation , thus ,they have a better chance at entering the kingdom of God ahead of the very religious Jews. The worst form of self destruction among religious people is that of self-righteousness and it is the deception that salvation could be attained by a person's good deeds. This is a symptom of pride and places the burden of salvation on man and it totally eliminates the need for a saviour and portrays God as unjust, unloving and evil . Imagining evil against your neighbour makes you a sinner and as guilty as the person who physically does the evil.
We cannot save ourselves regardless of how good we behave publicly. There is no such thing as best sinner or a good righteous man therefore morality has nothing to do with our salvation. One sin in a person’s life makes him or her a sinner likewise one act of righteousness can also make a person righteous ( Rom,5:17). Righteousness is a gift from God obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayers :Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you, I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation and I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace to overcome guilt and embrace God's love in Jesus name.
Free prayer/counseling +2348098536911, +2348035536911. email:michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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