“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17)
“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” (Romans 7:19)
I’m sorry, but you cannot use these verses as an excuse, and even if your intentions are good and admirable, even if your heart is sincere in its desire to fulfill the laws of Christ, without actions performed against our own fleshly desires, against those that attempt to inhibit us from performing those acts of righteousness that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do, and then solely for the purpose of lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God, not only will you bear no fruit, receive no crowns or rewards, but your salvation may be in question.
Those who attempt good works as proof of their love for the Lord to others and to themselves are not the same as those who do so out of a willing, submissive and humble heart with no thought to themselves, who do so solely out of a love for Him who first loved us and “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14)
Herein are many deceived and are so deceived that they cannot recognize the hypocrites that they are, professing Him with their lips, performing what could be considered good works, not only because they believe they are obligated to, even desiring to do so, but to prove to themselves that they are followers of the Lamb of God. Their thoughts are on themselves, but the dying to self is not for His glory, it is not dying to Christ, it is a self-imposed denial for the sake of self, it is self-imposed obedience, not obedience to the will and Word of God led by the Holy Spirit.
It is perhaps the most subtle of deceits, religious, yet their religion is in vain.
In a greater sense my friends, these will suffer in silence when His name is to be praised openly in that suffering, yet even, if and when, His name is brought up in those moments of trials and tribulations, it is not to His glory, but as proof to themselves that they are born-again.
Some remain in this place for years, even unto their death, believing themselves to be what they are not, obeying because it shows to others and themselves a faith that truly does not reside within them. It is a life of vainglory, not one lived for the glory of the Most High.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” (Matt. 23:14)
They are difficult to recognize, but not impossible, for when questioned you will hear them speak much of the rewards waiting for them, of the crowns they will receive, of the many works they have performed and deeds done they will say for His name. They will not use the word, but you will hear it in every sentence they offer, pride is what drives them, a selfish, vainglorious pride that lifts them up, that sets them upon the throne of their lives, that speaks of their deeds, not deeds done through them by the Holy Spirit, a life of service as proof, but not in humility, professing that because of their great faith they have served the Kingdom of the Living God, never needing to repent in dust and ashes, for all they have done has been worthy of acceptance by Him who sits on the throne of eternity.
You will hear the pride, and if you attempt to reveal it to them, not only will they rebuke you, but all that know them, those who also have lifted them up as a shining example of Christianity will rebuke you as well.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)
A life of pride because of service to God is not a life that glorifies God.
