When the Bible Repeats Something We Had Best Pay Attention

If you understand why the following truth is repeated in Scripture, then you will also understand why Jesus and “religious types” will never get along:

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” 1 Peter 5:5

The truth is, there’s not a soul on earth with the pedigree or track record of performance to cause ANY of us to be rightfully proud.

Paul reminds us “… all have sinned and fall far short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Christ alone is the only truly good and sinless Man who ever walked the earth. Ironically, HE isn’t proud. He is loving and forgiving. He came to rescue us, to save us from our sin, and to pay for our salvation with His own blood.

“Religious” people who are proud of their own righteousness (which is a self-deception) cannot receive the gift of salvation.

They are too focused on attempting to convince themselves and others that they are good. They look down upon other people, and dare even to show contempt for others.

Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee (a religious man) and a tax collector (a lowly sinner):
“Jesus also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” Luke 18:9-14

A zeal for religion can actually keep us from the salvation Jesus Christ bought for us by His blood, because it tends to make us proud. Paul reminds us:

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Romans 10:1-4

(Note: the “law” means attempting to be good enough for salvation by following Biblical commands on our own terms, which can never be perfectly done).

No one can erase a single sin from his soul by following the “law” or by being good or “religious” enough. By the way, who in the world would want to waste their life attempting to be that good and religious anyway? Trying to live like that would make us self-focused and neurotic, not Christ-focused and loving.

Jesus Christ invites us to live life “abundantly,” meaning: to the full (John 10:10). We can only live life to the full by being free from the sin, darkness and bondage which is the trademark of this world.

But we all still have a sin problem which we cannot fix. How can we get to the place of abundance and freedom from sin, enabled to simply receive and share the love of God in this dark world? This is why Jesus came.

THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS. BECAUSE JESUS PAID FOR OUR SINS WITH HIS BLOOD, SALVATION IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO KNOW THEY NEED IT, AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE:

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:8-10

None of us knows how long God has given us to live in this world. It is a good thing to live in abundance and freedom. It is a good thing to know we are ready to be accepted into God’s presence forever, washed clean in His sight from all sin.

We are all sinners. There is only one fatal decision that can keep us from salvation.

WHEN THE BIBLE REPEATS SOMETHING WE HAD BEST PAY ATTENTION

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

It is a wonderfully simple, humble, childlike thing to receive God’s gift of salvation. Those who are proud of their performance or their religion will never stoop low enough to receive it.
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Jesus – Luke 18:17

“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13