GOD’S WORD STRESSES HOLINESS IN OUR ACTIONS.
Luke 11:42-44
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and passover judgement and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, not to leave the other undone.
When JESUS said, “.not to leave the other undone…,” it is clear that he is not arguing against doing what is right.
The Pharisees’ error that caused Jesus’ rebuke was that they believed their actions could produce a right relationship with God.
But a proper relationship with God can only come by humbling ourselves and praying faith in a saviour who is Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 Look, there is nothing as preposterous as “self righteousness..” no wonder God called it “filthy rags”.
Even if we were to attain holiness through send we would never be able to sustain it through the same.
“SELF” (human efforts in an attempt to gain relationship with GOD) lost its efficiency long before now such that “our sufficiency is only of God”.2 Cor 3:5
If it is not achieved through the Spirit it will never appeal to God neither will it compel His recognition or attention.
Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
THE PROCESS
1. God cleanses our hearts by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that boy is yourselves: it is the gift of God
2 And then we have our fruit unto holiness
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life.
HOLINESS IS A FRUIT NOT A ROOT OF SALVATION.
In a similar instance found in Matthew 23:26, Jesus told the Pharisees: “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean.”
In other words, if you are pursuing holiness in the absence of the regeneration of your spirit through faith in Jesus (New Birth) then you are blind.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY COMES FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
A GOOD HEART WILL CHANGE A MAN’S ACTIONS, BUT A MAN’S ACTIONS CANNOT CHANGE HIS HEART.
WRONG RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE
One religious doctrine is that:
“If you will Just act right, you will be right“
Nothing could be further from the truth.
THE ONLY WAY OUT:
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye MUST be born again.
Being born again is not an advice neither is it a suggestion; it is a must if a person must have a proper and sound relationship with God; that exonerates him from all his guilts and qualifies him for Heaven.
And that can only happen through faith in Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but (except) by (through) me.
No wonder Paul declared unequivocally:
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (a new type of being; a new specie that has never existed before): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is the HEART OF THE GOSPEL. Every religion of the world has a moral standard it enforces, but only Christianity offers salvation through Christ.
Presenting HOLINESS in any WAY other than as a result of salvation is denying Jesus as our savior and places the burden of salvation on us.
Improper emphasis on receiving holiness through one’s own actions can damn that person.
We must trust Jesus completely.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
FINAL WORDS
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Hope This Met You Well?
Happy Jesus-Focused MidWeek Sir/Ma
