GOD IS NOT IMPRESSED BY ACTS OF HOLINESS




By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
Matt 23:23AMP Bible “ 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.”
      Jesus clearly opposed the hypocritical display of acts of holiness by the religious folks of His time. Religion seeks to please God based on human standards as demonstrated in the excessive demand for tithe by religious leaders while their followers suffered under the burden of injustice, hatred and infidelity. These religious duties may be good  but the motives ungodly . The place of holiness in our actions cannot be overemphasized. However, God is against the idea that says our religious duties could produce a right relationship with God ,thereby placing 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 by grace through faith in the saviour Jesus Christ produces by default a holy character in us. (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 cannot  be perceived until one accepts the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus opposed every outward portrayal of holiness by the religious folks  of His time  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 righteous  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 in life but soon fell short. This is so because man is spirit and cannot be changed from the outside; 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. Religion the world over is premised on falling moral standards that must be adhered to, but only Christianity offers salvation through a Saviour. 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 as witnessed in the degree of chaos among the so-called religious countries of the world mainly in Africa, Asia, and the middle east (Col2.19-23).  By putting our trust in God and walking in the power of His saving grace we are able to subdue every satanic influence over our lives .
Prayer: 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 live in righteousness and peace in Jesus name.
Free prayer/counseling +2348098536911(whatsapp),+2348035536911 email:michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
Pics credit : pixabay /Geralt 

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