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Self-righteousness Insufficient, April 12
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20
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The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that
a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human ex-
perience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be
insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of
righteousness.... The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and
boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages
did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and
the basest hypocrisy....
The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are
Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets.
But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not
believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and
grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess
faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient,
forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through
their influence it is a curse to the world.
The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and
life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only
as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him.
Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then
the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s internal purity.
Then the ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless
rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees.
Salvation is God’s free gift to the believer, given to him for Christ’s
sake alone. The troubled soul may find peace through faith in Christ,
and his peace will be in proportion to his faith and trust. He cannot
present his good works as a plea for the salvation of his soul.
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