Self made righteousness or DIY religion
It is very odd that those who invent their own interpretations of Jesus and His words,
construct their own lack of need to walk without sinning, are the ones claiming others
are building their own righteousness by obeying Christ.
We are called to walk in the light, to be Gods righteousness on earth, to demonstrate
Christ in us by being overcomers of sin. It makes no sense if we are still dominated by
besetting sin and trouble, because the power of the cross is victory over sin and death.
Now some claim they have tried to conquer sin by obeying the rules, like Paul before he
came to faith. He found all it created was condemnation and hypocracy.
But in Christ he became Holy, pure, blameless, righteous, cleansed and empowered by love
which fulfilled the law without even trying.
So those who moan it is impossible, are moaning they have yet to find love in their hearts,
or the power of the cross in their lives. Only by Christ is His way not a burden and easy.
This is why I wonder what defeat is causing such despair. It is sorrow and mourning before
the Lord that bring victory and resurrection in faith.
This may be why. If they are living under the commitment to follow Christ or doing any of the promises of the Promise Keepers movements or BOTH, then that is why they are failing because they are under the impression that God will help them keep their commitment and their promises when His words says He will not.
Numbers 30:[SUP]2 [/SUP]If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Ecclesiastes 5:[SUP]4 [/SUP]When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.[SUP] 5 [/SUP]Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.[SUP]
6 [/SUP]
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error:
wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
Your commitment and your promises means that is YOUR work and that it will cause your flesh to sin. That is why Jesus had spoken against it in doing anything "for" God when we are to live by faith in what God will do for us, because we cannot make one hair white or black.
Matthew 5:[SUP]33 [/SUP]Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:[SUP] 34 [/SUP]But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:[SUP]35 [/SUP]Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.[SUP] 36 [/SUP]Neither shalt thou swear by thy head,
because thou canst not make one hair white or black.[SUP] 37 [/SUP]But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
The CEV modern Bible has changed the message in Matthew 5:33-37 and even Galatians 5:1-5 to make it okay to make promises to God and to men. And so they may not realize that they are being led astray by an errant modern Bible version.
So that may be why believers find it hard and even trying to do the best they can because they are not "rolling" the burden over to the Lord in their walk with Him. It is His work and we deny ourselves as able to follow Him thereby leaning on Him all the time for the help in following Him instead of doing the best we can and hope He does the rest in helping us keep our commitment to follow Him or promises to do good or be good.
Even the Promise Keepers movement taught them to use God's grace to keep trying to keep those promises, but again, His words says He will not, and believers need to ask for forgiveness for making those commitments and promises to be set free from them so they can rest in Him and all His promises to us for following Him.
Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.....[SUP]5 [/SUP]For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Philippians 1:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:....[SUP]11 [/SUP]Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
1 John 3:[SUP]3 [/SUP]
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.....[SUP]8 [/SUP]He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 Corinthians 10:[SUP]12 [/SUP]Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.[SUP]13 [/SUP]There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Timothy 4:[SUP]18 [/SUP]And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:[SUP]24 [/SUP]Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,[SUP]25 [/SUP]To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
It should be noted that running that race by looking to the author & finisher of our faith in helping us lay aside every weight & sin does not end down here until we are taken Home, so just because some may be having a hard time and not because they are doing it religiously in following Him, but just because they are going through an ordeal, it does not mean the fault is theirs. That's life.
1 Peter 4:[SUP]12 [/SUP]Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:[SUP]13 [/SUP]But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:[SUP] 7 [/SUP]Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.[SUP] 8 [/SUP]Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:[SUP] 9 [/SUP]Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.[SUP] 10 [/SUP]But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.[SUP] 11 [/SUP]To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
But it is better to roll the burden over to Him because He is the One that overcomes for us.
John 16:[SUP]32 [/SUP]Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and
yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.[SUP] 33 [/SUP]These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
So when a believer is struggling alone, encourage them that they are not alone for the Father is with them and that Jesus Christ is in them as to why He will overcome as He has overcome the world.
1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him....[SUP]4 [/SUP]For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.[SUP] 5 [/SUP]Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
