30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 11-32 To seek and the save the lost - The prodigal son 11 Man’s righteousness by works cannot save us
📖 Luke 15:11-32
22Feb2020 - *Man’s righteousness by works cannot save us* - _Luke 15:11-32_ - Bible reading: _Philippians 3:7-9_
_Luke 15:16-17 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. (17) "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!_
The religious leaders, to whom these parables were addressed, could not connect with this situation of the younger son, for they had never reached the ‘pig sty’. What was there for them to repent from? This is the reason why it is the harlots and sinners, who will enter His kingdom and those who consider themselves clean, to be left out.
These Pharisees were seeking to establish their righteousness before God by works and not by faith. Why was it difficult for them to exercise faith? They were lovers of money. _Luke 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him._ Money has the potential to captivate our hearts and make us self-centred. It is the love of money, which is a root of all evil. This is why Jesus said, _Luke 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God._
_James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?_ It is much easier for the poor to exercise faith in God, for the love of money will take us away from faith and make us think that our works can earn for us, our righteousness before God.
Apostle Paul is truly a role model for us. He had much to boast about but he recognised that he needed to empty himself of all his accomplishments in life before God, in order to receive God’s righteousness. _Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. (8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;_
For the rich man it was too late to repent. _Luke 16:23-24 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (24) "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.'_
God desires all men to repent and come to the knowledge of the truth. Man must realise that his own righteousness by works cannot save him. _Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (6) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour,_
*Thought to ponder*
```Praise God for the younger son that the process of repentance was beginning.```