Really, so what you are saying is that we through following the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, can not become better at how we live than a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites that the Pharisees were ?
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I'm so sick of trying to do good in my own strength, i've spent years trying to do good in my own strength, it's so tiring. I find strength when I collapse before God with my weaknesses and ask for His strength in a thing.
Acts 4 23-31
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And being let go, they went to their own
companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. [SUP]24 [/SUP]So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You
are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, [SUP]25 [/SUP]who by the mouth of Your servant David[SUP][
a][/SUP] have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
[SUP]26 [/SUP]The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’[SUP][
b][/SUP]
[SUP]27 [/SUP]“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together [SUP]28 [/SUP]to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. [SUP]29[/SUP]
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, [SUP]30 [/SUP]by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
[SUP]31 [/SUP]And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Noticed how they prayed and asked for God to give them boldness? They didn't go "Grrr! Alright! We're gonna be bold and do this thing!"