Soglio

Soglio
Village of Soglio Hiking in the Swiss Alps - John 6:3    And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Luke 18 - A quick word about Righteousness....

A couple of weeks ago I posted about our Bible Study in Luke 18. We are going to complete that chapter this week, so I pulled together a couple more thoughts.

Jesus laid the foundation with these statements back during the Sermon on the Mount.

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:10  ♥️  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

There are two examples in Luke 18 that reflect on this idea....I.e. Just how difficult it is to get to heaven on your own...


Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luk 18:10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Luk 18:11  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.

Luk 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.


Btw Jesus also taught:

Mat 7:21  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.

Mat 7:22  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?

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


And Paul said it this way...so as to make the point it's not the works that save us.


1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become assounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.


It was rather the one that God has called that acknowledges his sin and asks God's mercy, i.e. Looks to the righteousness from God that is saved.


Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.


We also see another who was rewarded:


Luk 18:35  And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

Luk 18:36  And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

Luk 18:37  And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

Luk 18:38  And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Luk 18:39  And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Luk 18:40  And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

Luk 18:41  Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

Luk 18:42  And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

Luk 18:43  And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.


This is much like the thief on the cross.


Luk 23:38  And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Luk 23:39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luk 23:40  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Luk 23:41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Luk 23:42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luk 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.


I skipped over the verses about the certain rich ruler.... Here is an example of just how far the rich, or perhaps the self righteous, or the Pharisee will need to go to get into heaven on their own....BTW I read the point is not that one must actually do this, but rather that any attempt short of this extreme will not make the cut:


Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Luk 18:18  And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luk 18:19  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Luk 18:20  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Luk 18:21  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Luk 18:22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Luk 18:23  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.


Luk 18:24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Luk 18:25  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.


Luk 18:26  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

Luk 18:27  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.


Note in his unique way Peter immediately grabs this and trys to justify himself...this is so like Peter.


Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Luk 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice denythat thou knowest me.



Luk 18:28  Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.


Jesus does gently let this go and confirms our riches with him.


Luk 18:29  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

Luk 18:30  Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.


But it is really Jesus who tells us of his own destiny which will ultimately as our savior require to really giving up all for our sakes.


Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luk 18:31  Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Luk 18:32  For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

Luk 18:33  And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.


Surprisingly though, the point of all this teaching was missed and not understood until later.


Luk 18:34  And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.






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