Does it bother you when people claim to be certain of going to heaven? Do you despise the fact that a person who is no better than you are can profess to be accepted by God? How can one claim the favor of God and deny that another's religion is not acceptable to God? Isn't this bigotry? Is this not hypocrisy? Isn't this the attitude of being "holier than thou"?
You might think, "I am not any worse than any one else. I am as good as others and have never done anything really bad. I don't need any Saviour." But wait! Don't put your trust in sinners! Do you think God will let you off because of other people's sins? Are you not trusting in the sins of others to get you past the judgment of God? And aren't you thereby trusting hypocrites to save you?
Actually, the one who trusts in Jesus Christ is the one who says, "God be merciful to me a SINNER." How then can a sinner claim to be perfect? The answer is that the Christian's faith is not in HIMSELF. His trust is in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). The Christian is not better than the rest of the world, but he is better off through the work of Christ. This is not in any way meant as an apology for the sins of Christians. We need to confess our sins daily. The Christian makes no proud boast of his own goodness. In fact, the true Christian will readily say, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18). Rather, we boast in what God has done for us. "In God we boast all the day long" (Psalm 44:8).
At the judgment, each person will stand alone before God. There will be no pointing the finger at another sinner. God demands a perfect sacrifice for sin which no sinner can provide. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified in the place of sinners and His perfect sacrifice is of infinite value to all who call upon Him to save them.
Do you realize that when you deny your need of the Saviour you are guilty of the "holier than thou" self-righteous way of thinking? Dear reader, don't remain among those who "being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:3). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). Bow before God this moment, confessing your sins, and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
--Ron Melick
"This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29)."He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
