GOD IS'NT IMPRESSED BY ACTS OF HOLINESS

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
 Matt 23:23 “ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law — right and justice and mercy and fidelity. These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.” AMP Bible

      Jesus clearly opposed the hypocritical display by the religious folks of His time. Man-made religion seeks to please God based on human standards as demonstrated in the detailed measuring out of ten percent of spices brought in as tithe. As with all religions, the actions may be appropriate but the motives are usually ill-conceived . The place of holiness in our actions cannot be overemphasized. However, God is against the idea that says our actions could produce a right relationship with God ,because it places the burden of salvation on man.

     This is contrary to the principles of salvation by grace through faith which can only be attained by a person humbling himself or herself  to recognize our need for a saviour. (Titus 2:11,Eph. 2:8). The acknowledgement of salvation produces  a holy character in us automatically. (1Pet.2:9,Rom. 6:22).

      Holiness is the aftermath of our salvation experience. It is like the aroma from a well cooked meal. It does not appear on its own until the ingredients are cooked according to specification. Likewise, God’s holy nature can’t be perceived until one accepts the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus opposed the religions of His time on the process of attaining holiness Matt 23:28” Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  A true Christ- like life comes from the inside out. A good heart will change a man's actions, but a man's actions cannot change his heart.

       Religion's greatest trademark is the doctrine that says you could become right by acting right, this is the bases of many self- help steps in building great relationships but they often lead to disappointments.  Many persons have made great resolutions to turn a new leaf of life but soon fell short. This is so because man is spirit and you can’t change a man outside his spirit. This is the absolute truth about life.

        The born again experience is a process of the regeneration or rejuvenation of the human spirit by the Holy Spirit, thus holiness is a by-product and not the way to a relationship with God. This is the fulcrum upon which the message of salvation by grace revolves. Man- made religion the world over is premised on falling moral standards that must be adhered to, but only Christianity offers salvation through a Saviour. You can't attain perfection through imperfection  . To say holiness can be attained by any other way outside it being consequent on the regeneration or rejuvenation of the human spirit is a denial of the lordship of Jesus Christ and blasphemous. This kind of salvation is by self-help and is a recipe for disaster. It does more harm than good to its faithfuls as witnessed in the chaos found in the most religious countries of the world mainly in Africa, Asia, and the middle east.Col2.19-23.  Let's put our trust in God and walk in the power of His saving grace as we subdue every satanic influence over our lives in Jesus name.
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