An inescapable conclusion comes from this line of thinking:
If we are contributors to our own salvation, if our
works can save us, then the death of Jesus was not only
inadequate but unnecessary. The apostle Paul put it
this way:
"If righteousness could be gained through the
law, Christ died for nothing." (Galatians 2:21)
Jesus came to set us free, to give us new life, and
not to supply us with a new set of rules and regulations
to be obeyed in order to get to heaven. The last thing
we need is a religion based upon our performance; what
we need is someone to give a perfect performance for
us, and we find that performance accomplished in Jesus
Christ. The Word of God speaks clearly on this subject:
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God—not
by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians
2:8,9)
The Religion of the Pharisee
Jesus pointed out the folly of trying to earn one's
way to heaven when he told the parable of the Pharisee
and the publican. (Luke 18:9-14) The lesson was directed
to "some who were confident of their own righteousness."
Two men went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee
began his prayer by parading all his good deeds before
God. Pride filled his heart as he thanked God that he
was not like those around him: robbers, evildoers, adulterers,
or even the tax collector, whose profession was notorious
for dishonesty. He continued his prayer with a reminder
to God that he fasted twice each week and gave 10 percent
of his income to the Lord.
The publican also prayed, but in a different tone.
Jesus said that he stood at a distance and would not
even raise his eyes to heaven, but in true repentance
said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Which of these two people was forgiven? It was the
publican, Jesus said, and not the Pharisee that found
favour with God. Why didn't the Pharisee find favour
with God? After all, he believed in God, said his prayers
and lived a good life. Where did he go wrong? The problem
with the Pharisee was that he was trusting in the performance
of his religious duties to save him. The Pharisee didn't
believe he was sinless, but felt that his good deeds,
which were many, would tip the scales of God's justice
in his favour. The good deeds of his life would more
than compensate for his failings, and he would surely
get a favourable verdict. But he was wrong.
The Religious Treadmill
The religious practice of the Pharisee reminds me of
the time I saw two children playing on an escalator.
They were trying to go up the stairs that were coming
down. No matter how hard they tried, they failed: the
stairs kept bringing them back to where they started.
Finally they got off and went over to the stairs that
were moving upwards, stepped on, and let the stairs
take them to the top.
