Luke 18:11-12
[SUP]11 [/SUP]The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Matthew 7:21-23
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[SUP]23 [/SUP]And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
It looks like there is a connection here. The connection being that certain people think their own work is what makes them right before God. Their understanding and their strength.
Aren't these all good works that are listed? Yes, they are. So why don't good works make people good? It doesn't seem fair, does it?
What is the solution?
2 Corinthians 3:14-16
[SUP]14 [/SUP]But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
The pharisees and most everyone else still had the vail over their hearts and minds. The vail that made them think their own works caused them to be good before God.