We’ve Been Saved from Hypocrisy and Lawlessness
7/13 Reading Portions: Joshua 18-19; Psalms 149-150; Jeremiah 9; Matthew 23
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
7/13 Reading Portions: Joshua 18-19; Psalms 149-150; Jeremiah 9; Matthew 23
Matthew 23:28
“So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
REBUKE
The Lord Jesus Christ’s rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees presents an excellent illustration of the failure of justification by works. Unregenerate men cannot produce works acceptable to God. They may appear righteous, all painted up pretty like a tomb, but they have no heart, there is no true love for God, for their souls are as dead as Adam’s in the fall, full of dead men’s bones. Adam, having partaken of the forbidden fruit, could discern between good and evil; however, having disobeyed God to gain “wisdom,” he immediately died inside, and the indwelling Holy Spirit giving Adam life when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, departed. Adam was alive, yet dead spiritually, and dying physically.
Unless God graciously and mercifully awakens a soul to His truth, the sinner will exalt his own works while being dead inside. This is one of the primary reasons why Christ Jesus, and His gospel of grace, is so vehemently opposed. This is why no one, apart from the Holy Spirit by God’s grace, will understand or seek after God (Rom 3:11; 1 Cor 2:14). No, not one. Outward righteousness does not regenerate a man’s soul. The reverse is true. God must regenerate the soul so good works may come forth. True, heaven-descending faith in Christ is the only way good works are manifested, and the only way outward righteousness pleases God (Heb 11:6). This is why the redeemed soul cannot boast. This is why God receives all the glory. This is why we rejoice in Christ, our glorious King. For this, we praise Him in the sanctuary; and we will one day praise Him in His mighty heavens. We praise Him for His mighty deeds through His righteous life as well as the excellent greatness of His atoning sacrifice on the cross! We praise Him with musical instruments, and by the works of our hands because He has so empowered us. We make a clashing, clamoring noise with joy for restoring the breath of life to us in His laying down His life for us with His very last breath on that tree. Yes, let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Hallelujah! What a Savior!