Many are backslidden and do not know It. Their professions are high-their state of grace low. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17).
It is a sad thing not to see; it is still sadder not to know that one can not see. Christ could not do much for the Pharisees. They were so observant of some of the practices of religion, that they would not admit the possibility of their not being in a state of salvation. They were censorious of others; they were charitable towards themselves. Many are In this same condition. They are strict in some things, loose in others. Their religion is a religion of selfishness. They have unbounded admiration of themselves. Anyone who approves of them and their course they fellowship; those who disagree with them they condemn.
They are not willful hypocrites, but they are deceived. We are too apt to judge of our religious state by comparing ourselves with those around us, instead of examining ourselves by the Word of God. Many a one is floating rapidly down to hell with the quieting remark, "I guess I am as good as any of them." Suppose you are, If they are not good enough to go to a Heaven of purity, into which there can not enter anything that defileth, your being as good as they are will not save you. "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). Condemning others will not save ourselves. Whatever is the condition or conduct of others, we must be right with God. The betrayal of Christ by Judas did not excuse Peter for denying his Master. He had to repent for himself. The great question for each of us to settle is, "Am I right with God?"
Roberts, B.T. Pungent Truths (Kindle Locations 1463-1477). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
It is a sad thing not to see; it is still sadder not to know that one can not see. Christ could not do much for the Pharisees. They were so observant of some of the practices of religion, that they would not admit the possibility of their not being in a state of salvation. They were censorious of others; they were charitable towards themselves. Many are In this same condition. They are strict in some things, loose in others. Their religion is a religion of selfishness. They have unbounded admiration of themselves. Anyone who approves of them and their course they fellowship; those who disagree with them they condemn.
They are not willful hypocrites, but they are deceived. We are too apt to judge of our religious state by comparing ourselves with those around us, instead of examining ourselves by the Word of God. Many a one is floating rapidly down to hell with the quieting remark, "I guess I am as good as any of them." Suppose you are, If they are not good enough to go to a Heaven of purity, into which there can not enter anything that defileth, your being as good as they are will not save you. "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). Condemning others will not save ourselves. Whatever is the condition or conduct of others, we must be right with God. The betrayal of Christ by Judas did not excuse Peter for denying his Master. He had to repent for himself. The great question for each of us to settle is, "Am I right with God?"
Roberts, B.T. Pungent Truths (Kindle Locations 1463-1477). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
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