A
Unfortunately the Pharisees were the ones thinking that by their own works and self-righteousness - they were the "chosen ones of God". They thought that by their own self-effort that they were righteous because of the life they lived. It is the natural belief system that was brought into the world through Adam and Eve eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
This is why Jesus said that their hearts needed to be cleansed from the inside first. Jesus does that when we receive Him.
Acts 15:8-9 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;
[SUP]9 [/SUP] and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
Now we are to renew our minds to the new creation in Christ.
Pharisees are those that think they need to create and maintain their own righteousness by what they do and not rely on Christ's work. This is why they opposed Christ and to this day the religious D.I.Y self-righteousness belief system rejects the work of Christ. They are trying to "do" what He has already accomplished and thus are rejecting the work of Christ.
Paul speaks of those that try to live by "what they do or don't do" and rely on establishing their own righteousness and thus do not submit to the righteousness of Christ.
This below in Romans 10 reflects what all self-righteousness belief systems are doing and thus are actually nullifying the grace and work of Christ in our lives.
Romans 10:2-5 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
Paul then goes on to talk about the true righteousness which is of faith. Faith in what Christ ahs already done. Christ is the end for righteousness. Get this backwards and we create a Christian religion" that uses the words of Jesus, God, word of God...etc - but we are denying the power and grace of God from operating in our lives like it should because we are denying the work of Christ.
The righteousness of God in Christ is a gift - not something you do to achieve it. This is a major stumbling block to all D.I.Y. self-righteousness/holiness belief systems. They are eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which is how this world's system still operates from - instead of the tree of Life which is Christ Himself.
Paul said that in the last days that people would not be anti-God - that they would be anti-Christ in their belief systems. There is a vast difference between being "for God" and for being joined as one with Christ depending on Him alone for all things that pertain to live and godliness.
This is why Jesus said that their hearts needed to be cleansed from the inside first. Jesus does that when we receive Him.
Acts 15:8-9 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;
[SUP]9 [/SUP] and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
Now we are to renew our minds to the new creation in Christ.
Pharisees are those that think they need to create and maintain their own righteousness by what they do and not rely on Christ's work. This is why they opposed Christ and to this day the religious D.I.Y self-righteousness belief system rejects the work of Christ. They are trying to "do" what He has already accomplished and thus are rejecting the work of Christ.
Paul speaks of those that try to live by "what they do or don't do" and rely on establishing their own righteousness and thus do not submit to the righteousness of Christ.
This below in Romans 10 reflects what all self-righteousness belief systems are doing and thus are actually nullifying the grace and work of Christ in our lives.
Romans 10:2-5 (NASB)
[SUP]2 [/SUP] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
Paul then goes on to talk about the true righteousness which is of faith. Faith in what Christ ahs already done. Christ is the end for righteousness. Get this backwards and we create a Christian religion" that uses the words of Jesus, God, word of God...etc - but we are denying the power and grace of God from operating in our lives like it should because we are denying the work of Christ.
The righteousness of God in Christ is a gift - not something you do to achieve it. This is a major stumbling block to all D.I.Y. self-righteousness/holiness belief systems. They are eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which is how this world's system still operates from - instead of the tree of Life which is Christ Himself.
Paul said that in the last days that people would not be anti-God - that they would be anti-Christ in their belief systems. There is a vast difference between being "for God" and for being joined as one with Christ depending on Him alone for all things that pertain to live and godliness.
They sound the same to me.
Did you read the OP. before posting or just the Title?