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The Self Righteous Good Works of Man
Apr 4, 2018 06:29:34   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Martin Luther said, “The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man is that somehow he can make himself good enough to deserve to live forever with an all-holy God.”

Isaiah was redeemed and set apart as a prophet of God, yet he saw himself as part of a group that was utterly sinful. The doctrine of man's depravity is taught clearly in Scripture (e.g., Ephesians 2:1–5), and the illustration of Isaiah 64:6 could rightly be applied to the whole world, especially given Isaiah's inclusion of himself in the description.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6). This passage is often used as a proof text to condemn all our acts of goodness as nothing more than “filthy rags” in the eyes of God. The context of this passage is referring specifically to those of his countrymen in Isaiah’s time (760—670 B.C.) who had strayed from God. Isaiah was writing concerning his nation and their hypocrisy. Yet he includes himself in the description, saying “we” and “our.”

The word filthy is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word rags is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” of mankind, are considered by God as a repugnant unacceptable sacrifice.

As Isaiah wrote this, the Israelites had been the recipients of numerous miraculous blessings from God. Yet they had turned their backs on Him by worshiping false gods (Isaiah 42:17), making sacrifices and burning incense on strange altars (Isaiah 65:3–5). Isaiah had even called Jerusalem a harlot and compared it to Sodom (Isaiah 3:9). These people had an illusion of their own self-righteousness. Yet God did not esteem their acts of righteousness as anything but “polluted garments” or “filthy rags.” Their apostasy, in falling away from the law of God, had rendered their righteous works totally unclean. “Like the wind, their sins were sweeping them away” (Isaiah 64:6).

Though self-righteousness is condemned throughout the Bible (Ezekiel 33:13; Romans 3:27; Titus 3:5), we are, in fact, commanded to do good works. Paul explained that we cannot do anything to save ourselves, but our salvation comes only as a result of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). Then he proclaimed that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; see also 2 Corinthians 3:5).

Our salvation is not the result of any of our efforts, abilities, intelligent choices, personal characteristics, or acts of service we may perform. However, as believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” - to help and serve others. While there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up His church (Ephesians 4:12). This reconciles the seeming conflict between faith and works. Our righteous acts do not produce our salvation but are, in fact, evidence of our salvation (James 1:22; 2:14–26).

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion producing nothing that is acceptable in God's sight.

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Apr 5, 2018 18:31:50   #
jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho
 
Zemirah wrote:
Martin Luther said, “The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man is that somehow he can make himself good enough to deserve to live forever with an all-holy God.”

Isaiah was redeemed and set apart as a prophet of God, yet he saw himself as part of a group that was utterly sinful. The doctrine of man's depravity is taught clearly in Scripture (e.g., Ephesians 2:1–5), and the illustration of Isaiah 64:6 could rightly be applied to the whole world, especially given Isaiah's inclusion of himself in the description.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6). This passage is often used as a proof text to condemn all our acts of goodness as nothing more than “filthy rags” in the eyes of God. The context of this passage is referring specifically to those of his countrymen in Isaiah’s time (760—670 B.C.) who had strayed from God. Isaiah was writing concerning his nation and their hypocrisy. Yet he includes himself in the description, saying “we” and “our.”

The word filthy is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word rags is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” of mankind, are considered by God as a repugnant unacceptable sacrifice.

As Isaiah wrote this, the Israelites had been the recipients of numerous miraculous blessings from God. Yet they had turned their backs on Him by worshiping false gods (Isaiah 42:17), making sacrifices and burning incense on strange altars (Isaiah 65:3–5). Isaiah had even called Jerusalem a harlot and compared it to Sodom (Isaiah 3:9). These people had an illusion of their own self-righteousness. Yet God did not esteem their acts of righteousness as anything but “polluted garments” or “filthy rags.” Their apostasy, in falling away from the law of God, had rendered their righteous works totally unclean. “Like the wind, their sins were sweeping them away” (Isaiah 64:6).

Though self-righteousness is condemned throughout the Bible (Ezekiel 33:13; Romans 3:27; Titus 3:5), we are, in fact, commanded to do good works. Paul explained that we cannot do anything to save ourselves, but our salvation comes only as a result of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). Then he proclaimed that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; see also 2 Corinthians 3:5).

Our salvation is not the result of any of our efforts, abilities, intelligent choices, personal characteristics, or acts of service we may perform. However, as believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” - to help and serve others. While there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up His church (Ephesians 4:12). This reconciles the seeming conflict between faith and works. Our righteous acts do not produce our salvation but are, in fact, evidence of our salvation (James 1:22; 2:14–26).

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion producing nothing that is acceptable in God's sight.
Martin Luther said, “The most damnable and pernici... (show quote)




Thank you for sharing God's words.

Sadly the opposite is believed by the majority of Americans as the God of humanism forges into minds, believing good works cancel out the bad. Church leaders once proclaiming the gospel unto salvation have turn to itching ears in the hopes merging humanism with scripture will fill pews, but only corrupting the living word of God.

God Bless

Reply
Apr 5, 2018 23:47:08   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Thank you, Jack.

It is very human to extol one's own good deeds to anyone who will listen, and unfortunately, all the more so among a small percentage of Christian "church leaders," although they have taught Bible classes most of their adult lives.

As a child, I used to listen in wonderment as the same three or four individuals would, one at a time, arise during the Sunday morning worship service, to belabor the assembled congregation, with the respective good deeds which each had performed during that week; deeds, which Holy Scripture says, are to be done in secret, to the glory of God, and in the strength that he provides (lest any man should boast), in order that He may reward them.

It sometimes seemed to me like an on-going contest, during which these esteemed individuals would vie for supremacy among themselves, and for the benefit of their audience, each trying to get first dibs with Almighty God, who was, it is quite certain, listening...

For did not Jesus tell us the following in God's Word:

1: "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2: "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.

3: "But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

4: "So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6:1-4

Even as a child I use to wonder if my own Bible could possibly read so differently from these experienced teachers of God's Word as to explain their actions, which were so diametrically disobedient to God's written instructions...

Privately, in my own mind, I labeled it "Show and Tell Churchiosity."

How much more tempting must it be in our present age, with modern technology, to "tweet" one's magnanimous deeds forth to a listening world.

For all those who go to the sanctuary to worship Almighty God, however, the great "I Am," the Triune God who is the Creator of the Universe, God the Father, Jesus God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit, He is ever present, His love is constant, His love is trustworthy and undeviating, and He can always be found.

Let nothing distract you from worshiping and praising Him.



jack sequim wa wrote:
Thank you for sharing God's words.

Sadly the opposite is believed by the majority of Americans as the God of humanism forges into minds, believing good works cancel out the bad. Church leaders once proclaiming the gospel unto salvation have turn to itching ears in the hopes merging humanism with scripture will fill pews, but only corrupting the living word of God.

God Bless

Reply
 
 
Apr 6, 2018 14:59:29   #
jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho
 
Zemirah wrote:
Thank you, Jack.

It is very human to extol one's own good deeds to anyone who will listen, and unfortunately, all the more so among a small percentage of Christian "church leaders," although they have taught Bible classes most of their adult lives.

As a child, I used to listen in wonderment as the same three or four individuals would, one at a time, arise during the Sunday morning worship service, to belabor the assembled congregation, with the respective good deeds which each had performed during that week; deeds, which Holy Scripture says, are to be done in secret, to the glory of God, and in the strength that he provides (lest any man should boast), in order that He may reward them.

It sometimes seemed to me like an on-going contest, during which these esteemed individuals would vie for supremacy among themselves, and for the benefit of their audience, each trying to get first dibs with Almighty God, who was, it is quite certain, listening...

For did not Jesus tell us the following in God's Word:

1: "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2: "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.

3: "But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

4: "So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Matthew 6:1-4

Even as a child I use to wonder if my own Bible could possibly read so differently from these experienced teachers of God's Word as to explain their actions, which were so diametrically disobedient to God's written instructions...

Privately, in my own mind, I labeled it "Show and Tell Churchiosity."

How much more tempting must it be in our present age, with modern technology, to "tweet" one's magnanimous deeds forth to a listening world.

For all those who go to the sanctuary to worship Almighty God, however, the great "I Am," the Triune God who is the Creator of the Universe, God the Father, Jesus God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit, He is ever present, His love is constant, His love is trustworthy and undeviating, and He can always be found.

Let nothing distract you from worshiping and praising Him.
Thank you, Jack. br br It is very human to extol ... (show quote)





Thank you for your always encouraging words. I am so undeserving, it is through Jesus I can go boldly before our Father, with confidence my praises and requests are heard. I am witness to God healing miraculously, answering and intervening in what can only be explained as miraculous. I have heard his voice telling me of imminent life crisis enabling me to give it to him, trust in him.
I had a very major event that struck me down, disabling me by way of a third of my spinal cord (neck) removed by an accident, during the same time my wife left me (suddenly without explanation) yet days before God told me I would have extreme trials coming and confirmed when they did. Life long extreme pain suffering, yet I had/have joy knowing God is in control. Just as Paul after having his back shredded with a whip, his feet in stocks forcing him to lay on his back in urine and feces, but Paul new God was in control, all the time praising God with peace and joy by God's grace.
I see others with similar types of painful disabilities feeling sorrow for their loss, whinning, no joy or happiness that believe in God, but have not given it to God, not fully accepted that God is in control. "I Am" is Almighty, All Loving, indescribable Lord - God - Saviour even to me, so undeserving, the sinner of sinners.

Praise God
And
GOD BLESS

Reply
Apr 6, 2018 15:22:35   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
All we who are Christians are undeserving, but through Jesus' voluntary suffering and propitiatory death in our place, in order that we may subsequently arise with Him in His resurrection, to new life, although sinners, we are through God's grace, forgiven, separated from our sin as far as the east is from the west.

Praise God for His faithfulness. Someday we will see Him face-to-face, in order that we may learn the whys and the what fors..., and we will understand, for "all things work for good for those who are in Christ Jesus."

May God bless your day, and your faithfulness to Him.


jack sequim wa wrote:
Thank you for your always encouraging words. I am so undeserving, it is through Jesus I can go boldly before our Father, with confidence my praises and requests are heard. I am witness to God healing miraculously, answering and intervening in what can only be explained as miraculous. I have heard his voice telling me of imminent life crisis enabling me to give it to him, trust in him.
I had a very major event that struck me down, disabling me by way of a third of my spinal cord (neck) removed by an accident, during the same time my wife left me (suddenly without explanation) yet days before God told me I would have extreme trials coming and confirmed when they did. Life long extreme pain suffering, yet I had/have joy knowing God is in control. Just as Paul after having his back shredded with a whip, his feet in stocks forcing him to lay on his back in urine and feces, but Paul new God was in control, all the time praising God with peace and joy by God's grace.
I see others with similar types of painful disabilities feeling sorrow for their loss, whinning, no joy or happiness that believe in God, but have not given it to God, not fully accepted that God is in control. "I Am" is Almighty, All Loving, indescribable Lord - God - Saviour even to me, so undeserving, the sinner of sinners.

Praise God
And
GOD BLESS
Thank you for your always encouraging words. I am ... (show quote)

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