Why was One Man’s Prayer Heard and the other Rejected?
YOU KNOW when you are trusting in Christ’s righteousness alone and not your own when you begin to rejoice at how great the love He’s had for you, knowing your own evil inclinations when you drift outside of His presence. Amen anybody?
Does God Really Reject Prayers? If So, Why?
You see, Jesus didn’t come for the healed – those that thought they didn’t need Him. No! He came for those few who are willing to admit and to continue to admit what the publican admitted when he prayed – “Be merciful to me Lord, a sinner.” (Luke 18:10-14) In fact, this is the exact truth Jesus seeks to convey to our hearts when He gives us His parable of the two men who went to prayer as we have on record in Luke 18.
Which one of these two men are you? Which heart attitude most fits yours?
Luke 18
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14
Only one of these men was justified by God. It was the one who was willing to admit his own sinful state and go to God by faith and fall upon His blessed mercy. The man Christ justified only prayed a prayer with 7 words and the self-righteous man whose prayer was shunned, blocked, and rejected by God was 34 words.
SELF-righteousness – false righteousness imagined from your own intrinsic value or performance – even at its “best” is “altogether vanity (futility)” and “as filthy rags.”(Psalms 39:4-5; Isaiah 64:6)
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
Feeling good about ourselves? If so we need a pin in the balloon!
“If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Job 9:20
Instead of self-righteousness, taking the humble route is the biblical revelation.
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
Self-righteousness is clearly soul-damning. It is sin according to the LORD. All one has to do to prove such is read what Jesus said to the Pharisees whose root sin was self-righteousness (originating from pride). Read Matthew 23.
While there should be absolutely no excuse for sin, there also must be the admission of the need for total and complete trust in God. This is a missing truth in the lives and ministries of some today.
Mankind is fallen and in a state of sin and separation that God alone can rescue him from. Psalm 51:5 says “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
So, do you think you can make your own self righteous before the Almighty?
Job 14:4 says “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.”
The answer to this question is that our Maker alone can save and transform us – redemption.
Paul Resume’ and Renouncement!
The apostle Paul had to deal with this sinful tendency as we do. To receive Christ’s righteousness, like Paul, one must denounce all other supposed, feigned righteousness.
Philippians 3:
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (judaaizers – antichrists attempting to bring you back under obsolete Jewish law).
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:1-10
His religious pedigree was unsurpassed yet the apostle had to renounce it in order to receive the divinely-granted righteousness of the Savior. One must choose.
How is it that our salvation came about? Was it due to our own intrinsic or moral goodness or because of God’s sheer mercy?
Titus 3
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
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;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7
Action plan: Praying Titus 3:5-6 every morning will truly offset all tendency toward self-righteousness and free one up to continue to more deeply trust in Christ alone – in His exclusive and perfect righteousness.
Who Found Who?
“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:9
One must admit and continue to admit his own personal, great need for Jesus Christ and His saving mercy. That’s what Jesus meant when He taught “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matthew 5:3; 9:13)
“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13
According to Christ, the self-righteous religionist who cloaks himself with his good works and traditions is spiritually “sick” and yet refuses to admit his great need for God and His blessed saving grace. This is what Christ is getting at here. They reject Him for their religion (Romans 10:1-4).
Anything that we attribute our right standing with God to outside of the divine Person of Jesus Christ, is sin and antichrist (in replacement of Christ).
“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:16-17
The self-righteous of today are exactly like the Pharisees of Christ’s day whose attitudes and characteristics are laced throughout the Gospels. In fact, Jesus never lambasted any other group as He did these evil religionists and even told them that the “harlots” (street prostitutes and any other vile sinner) had more chance to go to Heaven than they did! (Matthew 21:31)
Submitting ourselves to the righteousness that can only come from God requires that we first be brought low, brought to the place of realizing just how sinful, hopeless, and depraved and lost that we are without him. Romans 7! Jeremiah 17:9! Genesis 6:5, 12!
There simply ain’t no good in anyone else except Jesus Christ according to the apostle Paul (Romans 7:18, 24). (excuse the southern English here please)
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:1-4
Do We have Any Intrinsic Righteousness?
The cross of Christ is where the full price was paid to buy our wretched, evil-hearted, sinful, self-serving selves back to God (John 19:30).
False righteousness which keeps us from relationship with God and leads us to eternal damnation is that supposed righteousness derived out of a depraved heart with the idea that there is something good enough in us that makes us right with God. Well friend, let me clue you in – you are not special – you are a sinful, fallen human being in initial and constant, desperate need of Christ’s saving grace which came only by His perfect, sinless blood (Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22, etc.).
“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19
To say that we have anything except unrighteousness in us without Christ and His perfect sacrifice is to call God a liar and He takes this very seriously and to the damning of any soul who dares insinuate such.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Is God a liar? No. The LORD made it clear that all men are guilty before Him and in need of His salvation – the salvation that only He can grant. And, He has chosen to freely give that gift to those who admit their own spiritual poverty and chose to place their trust in Jesus Christ alone.
“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” Romans 11:32
God concludes that we are all in sin and unbelief and also requires that we agree with Him in this or we cannot be saved.
Those who, like the Jews, seek to work for their own righteousness through religion are still separated from God in their utter un-righteousness. All we can do is to admit and to own our own sinful state outside of Him and fall upon His blessed, sheer mercy given to us in Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God!
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
How to get saved and live in harmony with God? Do we get saved by faith and then begin to work to sustain our walk with God? No! Any person who does such is lost again.
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
Our part is to realize our own depravity and separation and hopelessness without Christ and to place our faith in Him and continue believing Him to the end of our lives.
“Without faith it is impossible to please” God, period! Memorize Hebrews 11:6.
The LORD has ordained and provided for each of His children to live the overcoming life!
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
Self-righteousness is antichrist (anti means in place of) and is rooted in the idolatry of self. We put ourselves in place of the only Savior – the only One who can save us. That’s why self has to be slammed down flat by the law. We do great disservice to sinners and to ourselves by not dealing directly with our own fallen state and coming to grips with the fact of our own utter unrighteousness outside of present abiding in Christ by faith.
Like the great apostle Paul, each of us has to deal with the temptation and the tendency toward self-righteousness. Reading Romans 3:21-26 over and over, pouring over it prayerfully will greatly help. The washing of the water of God’s Word will deal with and cleanse away this evil (Ephesians 5:26).
Answered prayer is a privilege reserved exclusively for those whom the LORD has brought into His blessed kingdom. They are told to “forget not all his benefits.” (Psalms 103:2) The prayer of repentance for salvation is the prayer or cry God hears from those ye to be saved. Peace with God
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He Will Abundantly Pardon: Get a Clue!
Articles
True or Feigned Holiness? [podcast]
The Cup
Holiness is the work of God in the heart of His children. He is moving on and sanctifying the abiding, cross-lifestyle born again believer, causing him to walk in “the new man,” putting off “the old man” (Colossians 3:1-14).
If you had the choice to drink from a cup that was dirty on the inside or one that was dirty on the outside, which would you choose? Would the Almighty not do the same? Which type cup are you? Where are you clean? – Are you clean on the inside or outside, or both?
“TRUE HOLINESS” IS A BIBLICAL TERM (EPHESIANS 4:24). WHAT IS “TRUE HOLINESS” AND WHAT IS THE COUNTERFEIT?
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:22-25
As we just read, “true holiness” is a Bible phrase and so there must by deduction be a countfeit, a false holiness.
WE’D BETTER MAKE SURE WE HAVE HOLINESS – AS DEFINED BY HOLY SCRIPTURE – AND NOT SOME FLESH-GLORIFYING, FABRICATED VERSION OF “HOLINESS” THAT COMES FROM SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS IN OUR OWN WICKED HEARTS ….. THE CROSS – CRUCIFIED LIFE – IS AT THE CENTER OF THE ONLY “TRUE HOLINESS” THAT GLORIFIES GOD …. AND ALL FALSE HOLINESS IS HEADED AND GUARANTEED ETERNAL DAMNATION …..
THERE IS A TRUE AND A FALSE HOLINESS AMONG THOSE CLAIMING TO BE WALKING WITH CHRIST. DO WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
Holiness is not manufactured, is not achieved in the flesh, by the self-will of mere men. No. Holiness is the very nature of the LORD and is the work of God in the life of the yielded, the crucified saint (Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6-8; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
They call it “holiness” but it’s really self-righteousness. Jesus rebuked these vile wolves repeatedly in Matthew 23.
“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Matthew 23:4
The old man, or old self, is still with us after we become born again and must be subdued daily. As we read in the passage above, our old self is “deceitful” and, true to its’ character, wants to pass itself off as something that it is not. Our deceitful hearts desire that we project a facade that is not reality. Feigned, or artificial, holiness is not of God. It is a farce because holiness is first and foremost a divine attribute and then, as it involves saved men, it is a state of the heart.
IT’S CONCERNING THAT SOME WHO PREACH THEIR RELIGIOUS BRAND OF “HOLINESS” SAY LITTLE OR NOTHING ABOUT THE SCORES OF SCRIPTURE PERTAINING TO GOD’S MERCY, SAVING GRACE, RESTORATION, AND DESIRE TO BRING HEALING, WHOLENESS, AND FORGIVENESS.
In contrasting true and artificial holiness, one writer notes:
“There is an advocacy of holiness that was never born at Calvary; it is the resuscitation of the Pharisaic spirit, dressed in the garb of Pentecost-an insufferable superiority. The Spirit of God must have a deep indignation at the preaching of holiness that is not the holiness of Jesus. The holiness of Jesus is the most humble thing on earth.”
Personally, I’m long ago done with the 3-piece suit façade. Let’s trash the costume. That has nothing to do with Jesus – because God looks on the heart, not the threads (1 Sam 16:7). Clothes are meant to clothe, to cover the body so that the shame of our nakedness doesn’t appear and not to be used to dress the flesh, bringing attention to self. It’s not about self but the Savior and no man shall glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:29-31). Extravagant dressing is not humble but rather, religious, plastic, fronting. Cheesy, hoaky, inauthentic.
“There is nothing more disgusting than these preachers that walk around in their suits that cost thousands, but they will not help the people in their own congregation that suffer.” Maureen Lundie
Jesus specifically warns about fraudsters who dress the flesh to cloak their evil, as they devour and make merchandise of their prey:
“Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” Luke 20:45-47
THE HOLINESS OF JESUS IS BEST DEFINED IN THE WHOLE OF WHAT HE DID AND WHAT HE SAID. THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE MOST SEVERELY LAMBASTED THOSE WHO WERE FILTHY-HEARTED OUTER-CUP-CLEANERS DRESSED IN RELIGIOUS COSTUMES, MAKES IT CLEAR THAT “TRUE HOLINESS” OR HOLINESS JESUS STYLE, IS IN DIAMETRICAL OPPOSITION TO THE FAKE HOLINESS OF PHARISEES BOTH PAST AND PRESENT.
Holiness God’s way requires the cross – where our lives are laid down and the Holy Spirit is raising us up in His holy power to please Him in all our thoughts, words and deeds. It’s a work of God that begins on the inside of the born again disciple of Jesus.
Speaking of a false holiness, was not this the fruit of the hell-bound Pharisees? (Matthew 23) They outwardly projected themselves to be something they were not. They were masters of hypocrisy.
NO MAN CAN BE HOLY AS GOD IS HOLY OUTSIDE OF THE CRUCIFYING WORK OF THE DIVINE PERSON OF THE HOLY GHOST! HE IS THE ENABLER AND AS WE PARTICIPATE IN THE DAILY CROSS JESUS CALLS US TO TAKE UP, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOING TO BRING ABOUT THAT HOLINESS THAT PLEASES GOD. MEMORIZE ROMANS 8:13-14. YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!
David prayed:
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:4-5
David knew that the LORD knew all of his “foolishness” and “sins”:
“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.” Psalms 69:5
Paul admitted his own spiritual poverty which is an essential foundation to victory:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:18
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (desperate for and wholly dependent upon God – not self): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
You are not holy in God’s eyes unless you are truly born again into Christ and presently abiding in He who alone is “Holy, holy, holy.” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
Read and pray John 17 today.
Holiness begins and emanates from the inside out and being one with Jesus and the Father is the essential.
One sister notes:
“I know many “modestly” dressed plain dowdy looking women who are EVIL at heart and are full of adultery, fornication, and the Jezebel spirit.”
Response:
Amen! Amen! The Bible tells us that “The LORD looketh on the HEART” and that all sins come from the un-sanctified hearts of men. God memorize and study 1 Sam. 16:7 and Mark 7:20-23. Oh, and what did Jesus say of the religious posers of His day and how they cleaned the OUTSIDE of the cup but left the INSIDE filthy (Matt. 23). Some seek to impose their own measures on others, ever notice that? God always starts HIS work from the inside – out.
“Rend your HEART and not your garments (outward).” Joel 2:13
According to Jesus, both past and modern pharisees always over emphasize the outward. We ourselves must beware of such.
In my early years of being saved, my attitude was one of upholding some supposed state of spirituality or holiness. Yet, the more the LORD does His work in my heart, establishing it in His grace, the more I am blessed to rely fully on Him and less on my feeble self (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Heb. 13:9). I have come to realize that I am truly only a branch. Jesus is the living vine. By myself, I can do nothing and am good for nothing but to be picked up off the ground and burned. Why? If I am lying on the ground, I am dead. However, if I remain, or abide, in the vine, then I receive the rich nourishment that I need daily if I am to bear good, more and much fruit. It is the vine that does the work. My job is to abide (John 15).
The sin-bent flesh will never subside until we are with Him, and we will be only if we endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 12:14-16; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). The moral coward espouse the unfounded myth of “once saved always saved” in order to evade having to truly give his life to Christ. He is classified by Jesus as “the fearful” and is the first class of sinner listed that will have his part in the very lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). The flesh must be mortified/crucified daily or it will rule and reign in place of Christ (Luke 9:23-24; Rom. 6-7; 8:13-14; Gal. 2:20; 5:24). In order to do this, we must perpetually possess an attitude of need and dependence upon the LORD. Becoming independent of God was the temptation that drew away the first man and woman in the Garden. All souls belong to Him who made all souls and therefore, in reality, no one is independent of Him (Ezek. 18:4). Every soul is dependent upon our Maker for life and every soul will return to Him in judgment (Eccl. 12:7; Acts 17:25).
“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:4
No sin nature?
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:3
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But IF ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” James 4:1
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” Ephesians 4:22
What did Paul say he had to “keep under”? (1 Cor. 9:27)
A sinless state is attainable in the flesh by the Spirit but not by the flesh (Gal 3:3; Zech 4:6; Rom 8:13-14).
It takes the willing obedience of the disciple or holiness will not be attained (Phil. 2:12-13; Gal 5:24).
THE ENGLISH WORD “HYPOCRITE” IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD HUPOKRITES AND MEANS ACTOR UNDER AN ASSUMED CHARACTER, POSER, DISSEMBLER.
Jesus spoke of a false holiness which is despised by Him. Here’s a taste of His lambast of the religionists of His day:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Matthew 23:25-28
Adding to God’s Word: Going beyond the bounds of what Holy Scripture clearly states on any subject is sinful adding to God’s Word.
The pharisees of Christ’s day and those today feign outwardly to be holy yet are actually wicked in the holy eyes of God who sees the hearts of men.
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Someone has noted:
“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.”
There’s no shortcut or replacement for sheer obedience, born out of love for God and faith in Him. Someone has rightly stated:
“Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not. Many times we go against our feelings. Faith is one thing, feeling is another.”
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man through the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature through the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess. 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom. 7:5; 5:20; Gal. 3:20). They are enemies of the cross!” TB
YOUR PRAYER: FATHER, IN THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, PLEASE PURGE EVERY TRACE OF HYPOCRISY OUT OF MY LIFE! STRIKE ME TO THE HEART, THE CORE OF MY BEING AND MAKE MY LIFE TO BE SINCERE, AUTHENTIC, LAID DOWN, AND PURE OF ALL DISINGENUOUS MOTIVES, INTENTIONS, AND CHARACTERISTICS. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
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Articles
“The Root of the Matter” Job 19:28 [podcast]
WHY WOULD A DISCIPLE OF JESUS THINK SOMEONE ELSE’S SIN IS WORSE THAN THEIR OWN – IN THE EYES OF A HOLY GOD? SUCH CARNAL THINKING REVEALS AN UNCIRCUMCIZED HEART AND THE NEED TO LEARN OF THE LORD, TO BE INCREASED IN THE GRACE OF GOD (Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).
Think about the foolishness and utter futility of a hand cuffed violent robbery suspect and a rapist judging each other in the lobby of the court they’re getting ready to go in to stand before the judge to be sentenced. The point? God calls us to get our own life right with Him first and foremost.
Many times we see that the people attempting to correct others, need to be correcting themselves (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32).
Many times, sinful human nature is to project our own darkness on others rather than take personal accountability for our own sins (Romans 2:1-3).
Cache in on God’s Mercy The sins that should concern me the most are my own (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13).
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7
We’re not responsible for anyone else’s sins but our own – and that should greatly concern us! When Job was wrongly judged, he responded with:
“But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.” Job 19:28-29
Firstly, just where O where did our Creator and Judge say that “the root of the matter is”?
We should think and speak as if no one on this planet needs Jesus more than we do!
“The root of the matter is found in me.” Job 19:28
Here in Job 19, Job is speaking to his “friends” who were not loving him but rather judging him and wrongly at that (Romans 8:33-34; James 4:11-12). After they judged him (see earlier verses in Job 19), Job tells them that they should realize and be acknowledging that the root problem in the world is not Job or others, but rather themselves. Then, in verse 29, Job warns these men who wrongly judged him of the danger upon them of receiving divine retribution upon themselves for taking it upon themselves to judge him.
The sin that should concern us the most is our own!
“Many today are good at pointing out what they believe your sin is. Yet these same people refuse to accept and repent and confess their own transgressions. Job said: ‘The root of the matter is found in me’ (Job 19:28). Or in other words ‘I don’t have a problem I am the problem!’ Usually what we judge in others is in us! Romans 2:1-3. Beware! I have been told recently I was an evil person because I refuse to listen to a person with a reprobate mind. We all need to get on our knees before the Lord Almighty in repentance! Allowing and asking God to search our hearts and see if there be any ‘wicked way in me” Psalm 139:24. Paul said, I am chief among sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. I think he meant that verse for me! The hour is late and we will not be invited into the marriage supper if our garments are not cleansed with the blood of Christ.” Karen Cochran
IF you lusted/coveted/hated-murdered in your heart YOU ARE FULLY GUILTY before a Holy God and full in need of repentance and the refreshing of Heaven which follows that repentance (Matthew 5:28; Acts 3:19). WHAT stone have you to throw at anyone except yourself? Read John 8.
THOSE who still think you are the same person you were in the past, only prove that THEY are the same as they were in the past. They prove they are not growing in God’s grace themselves and are still the un-repentant person they were in the past! (See Romans 2:1-3.) Their projection of this darkness emanates from their own darkened heart.
“A long time ago someone told me I didn’t have a problem I was the problem. This stuck with me. I was the root of my own problem. The “root of the matter”. Job 19:28. Whenever I am offended I need to remember the problem is not them but me! And then take it before the Lord praying Psalm 51. Allowing God to search my heart, try me, and “see if there is any wicked way in me”. Psalm 139: 23-24. Notice the word ME! Not anyone else but ME! I can’t repent for anyone else! I will be fully accountable to God for myself on judgement day!” Karen Cochran
When someone holds you captive to a sin you committed in the past, they prove that they have not repented and confessed their own sins and therefore are not experiencing the saving grace and mercy of Christ themselves. Romans 2:1-3 speaks of these darkened unrepentant tares and how they project what they are guilty of on others. Some of these are reprobates.
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3
YOU mad at the world?
You judging others in your heart, your attitudes?
Should we not blame ourselves, as the vilest of SINNERS? Not others!
Sit down.
Be quiet.
Repent.
ANYONE can sit back and point out the evil in this world. Such takes no spiritual giant but is rather the preoccupation of “hypocrites” (Matthew 7:1-5). Only a few decide to see the utter deceit and evil in themselves – therefore only those few are made free and able to be used of God to see and share His “great … rich … mercy” and “his great love wherewith he loved us,”! (Read John 8:31, 32, 36 and Ephesians 2:4.)
Prayer: Father, please purify my heart to the core and cause my life to be 100% full of authenticity and integrity. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen my LORD.
The heart, life, and sins I must primarily, centrally, and perpetually examine are my own – not someone else’s! The person I must judge is myself! The logs must be removed before the LORD will consider using me to help others (Job 19:28; Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Galatians 6:1-2).
Godly compassion begins with repenting truly and when we do, we will no longer be sinfully self-righteous which is where the lack of compassion emanates. When Jesus saw the lost He was “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:35-38). What are you moved with?
Preach the Word and let God work. Never seek to unduly police the lives of other believers. All who do will fall into their own pit (James 1:20).
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20
Before we proceed, we must readily acknowledge that there is “NO good thing” in us except Jesus (Romans 7:18). “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not” (Romans 7:18). Hence the need for the work of Christ’s cross in us daily (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
Holiness is a work of God in the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus (John 15).
You see, “There is one lawgiver” and Judge and if you are not God Almighty, you are not that “lawgiver” or Judge.
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12
Job tells these men that they are now going to suffer “the sword” and “punishments” of judgment from the LORD for presumptuously taking it upon their self-righteous, prideful selves to misrepresent a child of God (Job), wrongly condemning and witnessing against him (Job 19:29).
Is this not a doctrine found throughout Scripture?
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13
Folks, concerning myself and my life before my Maker and Judge in this world, the “ROOT of the matter” is in me, not another and the LORD has called this disciple to be primarily concerned with his own utter and present need for divine mercy.
Where does the LORD instruct us to begin judgment?
“For if we would judge OURSELVES (not others), we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
One man said:
“Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry out worst enemies within us.”
“Examine YOURSELVES…” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Getting the picture? ….. Here’s more ….. Who did David cry out for the LORD to do His work in?
“Create in ME a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within ME. 11 Cast ME not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto ME the joy of thy salvation; and uphold ME with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:10-13
Concerning sin, we should never cover. Always confess.
Have you caught yourself being preoccupied with the faults of others while ignoring your own need for change?
“Basically, discord pretty much covers all forms of quarrels, arguments, divisions, that cause bitterness, dissension, conflict, trouble, rivalry, friction, struggle. God specifically hates it when this occurs among brethren. This is both serious, and sobering, and not something to lightly pass over. Rather than freely judging one another, we would find it far more profitable, to judge our own heart. What are our motivations? What are the results of our actions, of the words we are ‘sowing’ (spreading forth)?” Tony Harris
Jesus says:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
A busybody is someone who is preoccupied with the issues of others instead of minding their business and staying busy seeking the face of the LORD for the myriad of evil tendencies in their own lives! God doesn’t want His people being busybodies.
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” 1 Peter 4:15
In other words “Mind your own business! Get your own heart right with Me and only then – when you are dead and buried with Christ – and only then will I be able to use you to bless other members of My body. Only then will I be able to use you to help others overcome and bear their burden so fulfilling the law of Christ to love others above yourself.”
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (mature, broken, meek), restore (don’t destroy) such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2
“Who”?
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
We don’t yet have a clue if we are not fully and at present aware that we ourselves are vile, depraved, and utterly corrupt outside of the present and sheer mercy and grace of God.
You see, it’s only those who have grossly misrepresented self who wrongly condemn/judge others. They still have no clue as to who they really are, which is telling of their utter immaturity and lack of Biblical learning. These condemners of others wrongly judge others because they erroneously suppose that they themselves are saved due to something of their own merit. This is the state of the self-deceived person who audaciously and wrongly condemns and misrepresents others. This is done by the self-righteous in their attitudes and words.
The truly God-fearing man and woman seek to bear the burdens of others by meekly helping them to overcome, to restore them.
“We are washed in the blood of Jesus and our sins are as far away as the east is from the west! We are now able to stand in front of a holy God without blemish because of the imputed righteousness of Christ.” Leslie Olenych
Defusing the iniquity of self-righteousness increases exponentially when we begin learning the biblical doctrine of fallen mankind (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18; Psalms 39:4-5).
Memorize this following Bible passage today and recite it in prayer aloud for the next week:
“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; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;” Titus 3:5-6
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Old Testament vs New Testament System [podcast]
Law vs Grace: The System of Law-Keeping vs God’s System of Salvation by Grace through Faith in Christ
Comparing the Old and New Covenants, one source relates the following:
“The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible, focusing on the history of Israel, God’s covenant with the Jewish people, and the giving of the Law through Moses, while the New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus Christ, presenting him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the foundation for a new covenant with God; essentially, the Old Testament sets the stage for the New Testament narrative of salvation through Jesus.”
Another source renders the following:
“Difference Between the Old Testament and New Testament: Whereas, the New Testament comes after and documents how the world is saved through what Jesus did for his people. The Old Testament focuses primarily on the history of Israel and God’s law, whereas Jesus is the main focus of the New Testament.”
“OT is the story of man’s fall. God attempts to redeem them through a chosen people, and those people failing every step of the way. But through all this history God promises them redemption and salvation through a messiah. The New Testament is the story of that Messiah, His mission, and the history of His early Church to see that mission fulfilled. And like the OT looked forward to Messiah’s appearance, the New Testament looks forward to Messiah’s return and the conclusion of the human drama.” P.
“OT is the promise. NT is the fulfillment of that promise.” A.
In short, the Old Testament records the fall of mankind while promising prophetically of the coming Messiah to fulfill those glorious promises in order to save and in culmination make ready a people for the Messiah King’s bride and be also with the Father in His New Jerusalem palatial abode (Revelation 21).
QUESTION ASKED FROM A LAW-KEEPER WHO WAS ACTUALLY GENUINELY SEEKING THE TRUTH:
“So you are agreeing then that sin is breaking God’s law? If you are agreeing why are you saying then the keeping of God’s law is no longer needed to be kept? If you are admitting sin is breaking Gods law how can you say to repent but don’t keep his law?” Patrick
REPLY:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16
Great question Patrick …. The law can save no one (Galatians 2:16, etc.). Keeping the law can save no one because we’ve all broken it, and if just one time, we are guilty of breaking the whole law and worthy of eternal death.
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
So, think about going before a judge, a court, having only committed one crime your whole life…. let’s say you murdered someone. Are you going to say “But judge, I did the math and I’ve lived 10,923 days of my life and only 1 of those days did I mess up, commit a crime.” …………… ???? What’s the judge going to say? “Guilty. To jail you go for life.” Right?
God is holy and no sin shall enter His presence (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).
The law came by Moses and saving grace came by One who is infinitely greater than Moses – Christ. John 1:17 Christ created Moses (Colossians 1:16).
The law is the divine holy standard that exposes us to just how wicked we are (Romans 7:12). That is its divine purpose – in order to bring us to Christ, Messiah.
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster (tutor) to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24
400 years before the law was even given by Moses, Abraham was justified by faith. Read Galatians closely. Perhaps consider praying before you begin.
The law, the law keeping system, is infinitely inferior to the infinitely superior saved by grace through faith Gospel of Christ. Book of Hebrews compares the two systems.
The law was a mere “shadow” (faint representation) of much greater things were to come – and He has come, 2,000 years ago, the promised Messiah. He came and lived sinlessly and then died on that cross for us, was buried, and raised again from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25). When Jesus declared “It is finished” that meant “paid in full.” (John 19:30) Christ was the only One to ever keep the law perfectly and He then He nailed it to the cross when He died for us. He “took it out of the way” – out of our way!
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head (Christ, Messiah), from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:14-19
The system of law was clumsy and impossible to put it lightly. God had better, a “better covenant.”
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a BETTER COVENANT, which was established upon BETTER PROMISES (blessings).” Hebrews 8:6
Read Hebrews 8-10 with these things fresh in your mind.
The law system is over, for good and has been for 2,000 years.
“For Christ is THE END of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4
There’s a new law:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:2-4
Some find it difficult to let God save them all by Himself. They revert back to attempting to help Him save them, perhaps so they can feel like they are meriting their own salvation.
“Now to him that worketh (tries to earn, merit it) is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
“For the law of the Spirit of life – The Gospel of the grace of Christ, which is not only a law or rule of life, but affords that sovereign energy by which guilt is removed from the conscience, the power of sin broken, and its polluting influence removed from the heart. The law was a spirit of death, by which those who were under it were bound down, because of their sin, to condemnation and death. The Gospel proclaims Jesus the Savior; and what the law bound unto death, It looses unto life eternal. And thus the apostle says, whether of himself or the man whom he is still personating, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Adam Clarke
“8:2 The Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. These are two opposite laws or principles. The characteristic principle of the Holy Spirit is to empower believers for holy living. The characteristic principle of indwelling sin is to drag a person down to death. It is like the law of gravity. When you throw a ball into the air, it comes back down because it is heavier than the air it displaces. A living bird is also heavier than the air it displaces, but when you toss it up in the air, it flies away. The law of life in the bird overcomes the law of gravity. So the Holy Spirit supplies the risen life of the Lord Jesus, making the believer free from the law of sin and death.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“8:3 The law could never get people to fulfill its sacred requirements, but grace has succeeded where law failed. Let us see how!
The law could not produce holy living because it was weak through the flesh. The trouble was not with the law but with fallen human nature. The law spoke to men who were already sinners and who were without strength to obey. But God intervened by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. Take careful notice that the Lord Jesus did not come in sinful flesh itself but in “the likeness of” sinful flesh. He did no sin (1Pe_2:22), He knew no sin (2Co_5:21), and there was no sin in Him (1Jn_3:5). But by coming into the world in human form, He resembled sinful humanity. As a sacrifice for sin, Christ condemned sin in the flesh. He died not only for the sins which we commit (1Pe_3:18) but also for our sin nature. In other words, He died for what we are just as much as for what we have done. In so doing, He condemned sin in the flesh. Our sin nature is never said to be forgiven; it is condemned. It is the sins that we have committed that are forgiven. 8:4 Now the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. As we turn over the control of our lives to the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to love God and to love our neighbor, and that, after all, is what the law requires.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to You now, confessing my sin of rebellion, spiritual adultery, idolatry, and unbelief. Please wash me afresh in the precious blood of my Savior and LORD Jesus Christ. Fill and use me for Your eternal glory LORD, from this moment forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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