God, Have Mercy On Me, A Sinner

That’s what makes this man’s approach to God so insidious - so deceptive - in fact. Because he lives a more “moral” life, and because he also seems to give credit to God for his “moral” life - he then feels that he can approach God on the basis of his reputation - because he’s still giving credit to God for it. I see this idea more and more prominent through “Christian” authors today. It is called a theology of glory. It is a return to the Catholicism doctrine of grace infused. What it means is that we need God to work through us in order for us to fully receive the blessings of his grace and forgiveness. For instance, listen to this quote from one of them - he writes - Besides forgiveness, one must be cleansed from all sin. One’s own way ness, spoken of by Isaiah, must be crucified. Nakedness is clothed, but not sin. Sin is taken away, and the righteousness of Christ is imparted to those who know the recovery power of the blood and the cross of Jesus Christ". (Hegre:17, 35) While mentioning forgiveness, these authors state that you really aren’t forgiven, but that you must reform your life by the power of the Holy Spirit so you CAN BE forgiven. What this approach ends up doing is adding a little bit of your righteousness to Christ’s for forgiveness.

In God’s eyes - this is tantamount to putting a moustache on the Mona Lisa. It completely ruins his work of art. Time after time God’s Word says that this is the worst thing you can do -

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Galatians 3:10-11 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

Even if I try to rely on what GOD does through me, and give credit to HIM for doing it - it still comes down to the same problem. I am relying on my OWN righteousness. So even though I may not be a drunkard, even though I may not be a swindler, and even though I may not be an adulterer - which is a good thing - it isn’t going to do me a bit of good on Judgment Day. Even if you were an alcoholic and reformed your life, or if you’ve been a faithful father, or if you’ve been a good church goer, it isn’t going to make God somehow tip His hat to you. You can’t fall into the temptation of comparing yourself to other Christians - constantly looking down on other people - even other Christians - because they aren’t as “righteous” as you are. Why not? Because God is a HOLY God. It doesn’t matter how you measure up to OTHER people. It doesn’t matter if you’re “better” than they are. It only matters if you are holy. Matthew 5:48 says, “be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy.” This is not the way to approach God - not with one ounce of your righteousness.