Self- Justification – Part 3

Self justification is a form of self-righteousness.  It’s an inward belief that somehow because of what we do for God and others, we are owed greater favor and honor.  It’s the mental attitude that begins to believe we are righteous because of what we do; not what Jesus did.  Self justification is always concerned with what others think.  However, all acts of good deeds a believer performs are part of who we are.  Good deeds don’t justify us as better than other believers, because of the wonderful things we do.

                                               Scriptures:

Galatians 6:7:   Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.    ^NAS

Galatians 6:7:   Don’t be misled–you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.   ^NLT

Proverbs 14:12:   There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.   ^NAS

Luke 10: 38-42:     ³⁸  Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; ⁴² but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”   ^NAS

Matthew 6:33:   But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.  ^Berean

Galatians 5: 1-6:   ¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.    ^NIV

Galatians 3: 1-3:  ¹ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. ² I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  ³ Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?  ^{Berean   bewitched – baskaino-to be fascinated by false representation -> to show or make known one’s asserted actions}

Matthew 19: 16-26:   16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”  ¹⁷ “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” ¹⁸ “Which ones?” he inquired.  Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, ¹⁹ honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”  ²¹ Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  ²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. ²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”  ²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”   ^NIV

Ecclesiastes 7: 20:   For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.  ^NET

Isaiah 64:6:   All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.  ^NIV

 

Galatians 2: 20, 21:  ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died for nothing.”   ^Berean

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