The Worst Sin in the Bible!

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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-Righteousness | SINLESS PERFECTIONISM: WHOSE Righteousness are You Trusting?

God Aggrandizes How We FINISH

“It is Finished”!

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Jesus Conquered Sin, Satan, and Death by Dying [podcast]

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15

Through death Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan and made His people free, washing away their sins in His precious blood and putting His Holy Spirit in them, empowering them to live fruit-filled victorious lives to His eternal glory!

Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection – both now and for eternnity. Those raised up with Christ now are those who are crucified with Him. This is His holy “remnant.” (Isaiah 37:31; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15, etc.).

Jesus conquered sin and death (separation) by dying on His cross. Because of this, we need never live outside of an abiding relationship with Christ. His grace is sufficient to provide everything He died to purchase for us – and all these blessings are appropriated via our faith, our abiding in Him (John 15; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26, etc.).

In order to be raised up, to walk in His resurrection power and grace, we must first be dead and buried with Christ.

“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7

***ALL Heaven’s going to break out when this hits you in the heart, when your heart perceives this cross economy divine revelation.

Finishing Strong mean Finishing Crucified and Resurrected

HOW will you finish? It’s really how you finish that matters most! (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Finish strong beloved – lay down your life, death and burial, so that the strength of your life is Christ’s resurrection grace! (See 2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Go down deep.

“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:” Isaiah 37:31

Read the verse above again, looking for the death, the burial, and raising up!

The context Isaiah 37:31 concerns Assyria seeking to seize Judah and yet out of that evil attempt to conquer God’s people came a “remnant.” Yet it’s those who submitted to the LORD in death, those who took root downward (death and burial) who were reciprocally raised up out of that snare and destruction. Resurrection grace wins every time, with no exception! The cross is the divine prescription for absolute victory in every situation.

God counteracts death by the promise of resurrection – now and in eternity! (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

The depth you allow God to bury you determines the height of His resurrection, His raising up in your life! (See 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

“Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Proverbs 22:17-21

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]

PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

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The cross reveals your sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! FACT: NO ONE, not one person on this earth needs Jesus more than this fool, this pauper who is nothing without Christ! (Romans 7:18; Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus died, was buried, and raised again from the dead to forgive, regenerate, redeem, and grant complete victory in this life to every one of His people. Yet, we must do things God’s way and no other way. JESUS JUDGED SIN ON THE CROSS SO WE DON’T HAVE TO BE JUDGED FOR OUR SIN AND SO WE […]

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