According to Jesus in Matthew 7:21-22, professions of faith are to be questioned if people point to their works as the reason why they should get into the kingdom. Likewise, in Luke 18:9-14 Jesus rejected the profession of the Pharisee who piously claimed to be saved because he was not a sinner like other men. Yet He accepted the profession of a tax collector who looked at the ground, acknowledged his sinfulness and need, and cried out to God for mercy. According to John the Baptist in Luke 3:8, professions of those who claim that they deserve kingdom entrance because of their ancestry, because they have Abraham as their father, should be questioned. Likewise, in Romans 10:2-3 Paul implies that we should question the professions of those who think that they merit kingdom entrance on the basis of their own righteousness. We must take care not to let ones zeal for God confuse us (Rom 10:2). The unsaved may be very zealous for God. Rather, Paul makes it clear that we must concern ourselves with whether or not people understand and accept the Gospel.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 19:36:10 +0000