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It is implied that he had utterly forsaken the way of righteousness by deeds of the law. Every natural man seeks salvation by making himself better in the sight of God. He tries to mend his life; he puts a bridle on his tongue; he tries to command his feelings and thoughts, all to make himself better in the sight of God. Or he goes further: tries to cover his past sins by religious observances; he becomes a religious man, prays, weeps, reads, attends sacraments, is deeply occupied in religion, and tries to get it into his heart ; all to make himself appear good in the sight of God, that he may lay God under debt to pardon and love him. Paul tried this plan for long. He was a Pharisee, touching the righteousness in the law blameless; he lived an outwardly blameless life, and was highly thought of as a most religious man. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” When it pleased God to open his eyes, he gave up his way of self-righteousness for ever and ever; he had no more any peace from looking in,-“we have no confidence in the flesh;” he bade farewell forever to that way of seeking peace. Nay, he trampled it under his feet. “I do count them but dung that I may win Christ.” Oh, it is a glorious thing when a man is brought to trample under feet his own righteousness; it is the hardest thing in the world.” ~Robert Murray M’Cheyne
If you find you find yourself in the above category of trying to make God your debtor and you are concerned about your soul, then please watch the two videos on the links below:
See also: Prideful Men Will Perish -Tim Conway, 12 Steps In Romans 9
&: You Don’t Come To Christ Holding On To Sin- Gospel Warning from Tim Conway