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Let us never underestimate just how merciful God really is, unwilling that “ANY should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9) In fact, all I have to do is look in the mirror to be reminded of the most evil sinner ever born and to realize afresh just how merciful the LORD has been!
 
Read Titus 3:5-7. Have you memorized Ephesians 4:32
 
According to the Son of God, the definition of a hypocrite is one who stands in judgment of others while he himself has sin in his own life he hasn’t dealt with in repentance before a holy God (Matthew 7:1-5). Such a man is heaping undiluted judgment upon his own pate/head (James 2:13).

“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 2:17

Those who refuse to see their need for the Great Physician cannot possibly see their need to go to Him in repentance.

After all, who would schedule an appointment to see a doctor if they haven’t first realized and admitted they have an ailment?

Ever notice how some seem to preach repentance as if EVERYONE needs to repent except themselves and those in their little self-righteous clique?

The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent!

By biblical definition, anyone who is self-righteous has less chance than harlots to go to Heaven (Matthew 21:31).

The reason we don’t freely forgive others is because we don’t yet realize just how wicked and depraved we ourselves are and how utterly in need we are of divine mercy.

Self-righteousness was one of the sins of the pharisees and is soul damning (Matthew 23, etc.). Even the publicans and harlots will be in Heaven before the self-righteous religionists (Matthew 21:31).

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Men see church-goers, religious people and think they’re saved/going to Heaven. Jesus sees harlots (whores) and sees them as closer to the kingdom (closer to getting saved) than the self-righteous (Matthew 21:31).

“ALL have sinned” against our God and so our own good works do not atone for our sins (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10, 23). ONLY Jesus could and did do that for us.  

Sinful self-righteousness has no place in the life of a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 21:31

When God calls us to repent, it’s because we are sinners. “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory (acceptance) of God” (Romans 3:23). Of this verse of truth, John Wesley wrote:

“I came not to call the righteous – Therefore if these were righteous I should not call them. But now, they are the very persons I came to save.”

When our conscience is convicted, when our hearts weigh heavy under the burden of sin, that is the divine call for us to repent—to turn back to the LORD with sincerity and contrition—confessing our sins.

Those not admitting they are sinners cannot possibly see the need of repentance. This is the sin that blinds the self-righteous and seems to be most egregious to God.

Of this passage, F.B. Meyer writes:

“The sinner’s friend, Mark 2:13-22. They thought to coin a term of reproach, but they added a crown of glory. In eternity the Friend of sinners will surround His table with saved sinners who have become His guests.”

A Verse of Truth to Remember

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

Here the Son of God seems to make it clear what infuriates God the most. Jesus is speaking here of the self-righteous religionists who refuse to realize their own sinful state and need for divine forgiveness. He informs us that the fornicators will go to Heaven before the self-righteous. And, we know that no unrepentant fornicator will be in glory (Revelation 21:8, etc.).

The fornicators will go into the eternal kingdom of Christ before those who did not admit their need for divine forgiveness and carry through with repentance that was manifested in a holy life (Matthew 3:7-10).

Jesus came for and saves those who admit they have sinned and are sinners, and their desperate, great need for Him. This is in eternally stark contrast with those who think they are righteous in themselves. Jesus told us that even the prostitutes, the harlots, will be in Heaven before self-righteous religionists! (Matthew 21:31)

“Greater Damnation”

If you still don’t perceive the divine anger against self-righteousness, watch this:

In Christ’s most scathing lambasting on record, He is seen rebuking the self-righteous religionists who used their positions to lord it over and to rob the people. The Son of God foretells their “damnation” which He makes clear will be “greater” than that of others.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” Matthew 23:14

Jesus used this term – “greater damnation” – just one time and He applied it to the self-righteous (this was recorded by all 3 of the synoptic Gospels). “Greater damnation” is coming to the self-righteous religionists of our day.

Of this truth, Debbie Lord writes:

“Jesus clearly spelled out that self-righteousness is the worst sin in that the self-righteous will have to stand in line to enter Heaven behind the very ones they judge and condemn, which we are told will not enter (unrepentant) into the kingdom of Heaven. Our flesh, which rises up in self-righteousness is an adherence to the lie from Satan which blinds us to our own sin — which ultimately denies and takes the place of the work of Christ’s righteousness the Holy Spirit desires to work in us to fruition — being changed into the image of Christ.”

Is self-righteousness not the product of pride and “an evil heart of unbelief”? (Hebrews 3:12-14)

“Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Faith in the Redeemer. He is the Savior, not us. Some don’t like it when they can’t feel like they are earning their own way with God, earning their own salvation. Romans 3:21-25; 4:4-5

According to Christ, many today who in their hearts and attitudes judge fornicators, thieves, liars and adulterers, are possessed with a worse sin—self-righteousness.

Self-righteousness is the ultimate sin of rejecting the only saving righteousness God provided through Christ. The self-righteous spit in the face of the Almighty as they call Him a liar! The self-righteous impugn the God they claim to serve by casting doubt and indictment upon Him as a fool who sent His only begotten Son in vain!

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21

Whatever you do, if you will be with Christ, you’d better cry out to the LORD today to strip from every whit of your being, any and all traces, all vestiges of self-righteousness!

If you cast judgment on others in your attitudes toward them for their sin, check yourself (James 1:20). Just because the flavor of their sin may be different than yours, in no way makes your sin any less vile in the eyes of a holy God who is the Judge of your eternal soul (James 2:10)! He sees the very intent and thought of your heart (Luke 9:47; Hebrews 4:13).

The sin that should concern us the most, is our own sin!

If we vainly imagine that someone else’s sin is more vile than our own in the eyes of a holy God, we still don’t have a Gospel clue! (Genesis 32:10; Jeremiah 17:9; James 2:10, 13; Titus 3:3-7, etc.)

Of this verse, the words of Christ in Matthew 21:31, Adam Clarke wrote:

“The publicans and the harlots – In all their former conduct they had said No. Now they yield to the voice of truth when they hear it, and enter into the kingdom, embracing the salvation brought to them in the Gospel. The others, who had been always professing the most ready and willing obedience, and who pretended to be waiting for the kingdom of God, did not receive it when it came, but rather chose, while making the best professions, to continue members of the synagogue of Satan.”

F.B. Meyer writes the following of this verse:

“The parable of the two sons teaches that hard hearts may lie under fair words, while those of whom we expect least and whose first greeting is abrupt and disappointing, may later prove to be the most devoted and hopeful disciples. If a man repels the gospel with violence, he is more likely ultimately to be won than he who gives a polite and facile assent.”

Of this passage, John Wesley wrote:

“He answered, I go, sir: but went not – Just so did the scribes and Pharisees: they professed the greatest readiness and zeal in the service of God: but it was bare profession, contradicted by all their actions.”

What righteousness does any person have in and of themselves— without that righteousness that God alone provided?

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

Christ’s apostle Paul declared this of himself:

“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. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

One disciple writes:
 
“The greatest need for repentance today is among those today represented by the elder son in Luke 15:11-32. ‘Father, I have been always keeping your commandments and working in your fields, and you have never so much as given a kid goat for ME and MY friends to celebrate!’ ‘Whatsoever is not of faith (legalism) is sin’. Rom 14:23. Christ is of no effect to those who think they are justified by law. Gal 5:4. They work as hard as Self-effort can NOT to sin and to do good works for God. Severed from Christ and fall from Grace!”

“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:” Philippians 3:9 

No teaching in the Bible more profoundly states the need for contrition and humility when approaching God than does Jesus’ parable of the two men who went up to pray.

It’s either Christ’s righteousness or it’s our own. One is from glory, the other from hell beneath. The harlots will be in Heaven before the self-righteous (Matthew 21:31).

Men successfully approach God only when they do it in the realization of their own sin and need, and on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ!

All who approach God any other way than that plain way in which He prescribed, will be found by Him to be “a thief and a robber.”

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” John 10:1-2

Bible Verses to Get to Know — To Memorize and Meditate Upon

“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

“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant;” Genesis 32:10

Showing God’s mercy as He freely gave it to us in Christ “while we were yet sinners.” (Romans 5:6, 8) Mercy

PRAYER: Precious dear Father in Heaven, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ, confessing my utter need for You. As a vile, wretched, rank sinner, I have no righteousness of my own. On Thy mercy, poured out in the Person of Jesus Christ, as He offered His life blood for me on that cross, I now fall. Without You, I can do nothing LORD Jesus. In this very instant, I now turn fully to You and ask You to please take me into Thy kingdom, wash me in the blood of Jesus. Jesus Christ the LORD is from this moment forth the Master of my life. Please cleanse and fill this vessel to love, worship, and serve You Holy Father. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen!

Self-RighteousnessSINLESS PERFECTIONISM: WHOSE Righteousness are You Trusting?

God Aggrandizes How We FINISH

“It is Finished”! 

“Two Men Went Up into the Temple to Pray” [podcast]

Walking with Jesus [podcast]

A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast]

Your Life Will Never be the Same [podcast]

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Abiding

The Good Shepherd and His True Sheep [podcast]


“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant …” Hebrews 13:20

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” John 10:3 

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:1-13

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

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Abiding

“He that Loveth Pureness of Heart” [podcast]


IS YOUR HEART PURE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY BELOVED?

DO I truly love “pureness of heart”?

“HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Without a pure heart, obtained from seeking, worshiping, knowing, and obey God …. no one “shall see God.” Not one.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

If you or I have every word of the Bible memorized and die today with a heart that is defiled with sin, we’d bust hell wide open – and be trapped there irrevocably forever.

TODAY is our day, it’s your day, to throw up those hands and that heart to the LORD who made you, and cry out to Him to grant you a pure heart, one that is innocent, clean, washed, delighting in Him.

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalms 37:4

When the LORD is truly working in a man, that man is learning to love “pureness of heart.”

He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

Coming and continuing to come to the light is essential to final salvation.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Choosing the Fear of the LORD

WE must surround ourselves with the Word, the people, the praises of our God! FLOOD your ear and eye gates beloved (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus is coming.

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:21

Coming clean: To be sanctified by Christ, one must repent and believe upon Him. As the LORD works in them, there will be the response of honesty, humble repentance and a coming to the light, continually. If not, judgment will be incurred (Isaiah 1:19-20).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Those who cover instead of bring their depraved hearts into the light to have them changed and cleansed by the LORD, “shall not prosper.” In other words, they are stifled. Those who remain humble, teachable, correctable, rebukeable, and obedient, will receive divine mercy perpetually.

“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” Psalms 55:19 

Those who refuse to “choose the fear of the LORD” have no changes in their lives.

“For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” Proverbs 1:29

Psalms 73

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms 73:23-28 

Drawing Nigh (close) to God Afresh

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10 

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Articles

Out of the Mouth of Babes – “What is Love?” Hilarious. Revealing [podcast]


Hilarious and heart warming: What these precious children say will have you laughing and perhaps crying.

“What a blessing this was to my heart! My favorite was the 4 year old white sat on his neighbors lap! Phew! We could learn so much from children about love. They aren’t judgmental. There arms are open wide to give and receive love.” Karen Cochran

Jesus says that we are to be “converted” and also to “become as little children.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

Our LORD Jesus, the greatest Servant says:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 

This “greater love” of our Creator, Jesus Christ, was busy blessing each of us in our mother’s womb.

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE. Share.

Recently it occurred to me…. That the younger the child, the less corrupted they are by this world and the closer they are to God, as in they were more recently in the womb, being fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139).

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Psalms 139:13-17 

“Out of the Mouth of Babes” is a Scripture and an idiom, a biblical idiom that teaches us that the young and innocent are often unexpectedly wise. This term originates in the Old and New Testaments. The Book of Psalms (8:2) has God ordaining strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings; the Gospel of Matthew (21:16) has praise emerging from the same source.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 

What does Love mean to 4-8 year old kids? How do they define love? (by an unknown guest)

“The problem is; We look for someone to grow old together with, While the secret is to find someone to stay a child with!” (Charles Bukowski)

What does Love mean to 4-8 year old kids?

Slow down for a few minutes to read this…💕

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does love mean?’ The answers they got were broader, deeper, and more profound than anyone could have ever imagined!

‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore… So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’  Rebecca – age 8

‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’  Billy – age 4

‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’  Karl – age 5

‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’ Chrissy – age 6

‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri – age 4

‘Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him,  to make sure the taste is OK.’  Danny – age 8

‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.’  Bobby – age 7 (Wow!)

‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka – age 6

(we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)

‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.’ Noelle – age 7

‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy – age 6

‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

He was the only one doing that.

I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy – age 8

‘My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.’ Clare – age 6

‘Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’ Elaine – age 5

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’  Chris – age 7

‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.’ Mary Ann – age 4

‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’  Lauren – age 4

‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image!) Karen – age 7

‘Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross…’  Mark – age 6

‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’ Jessica – age 8

And the final one: The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.’ (This made me cry!)

Now, take a few seconds and post this for others to inspire and spread Love like butter!

And then go be a child again today!

“It’s good to be weak in flesh and strong in the power of His might. It’s good to be vulnerable like a child and abide under the shadow of His wings.” Debbie Lord

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