GOFAMINT DEVOTIONAL- RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES NOT ENOUGH

INADEQUACY OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Tuesday 19/4/2022

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 22, 92

Devotional Reading: Rom. 9:1-8

Topic For Adults: God’s Sovereignty in Showing Mercy

Topic For Youths: God Is Righteous in Selection

Topic For Intermediates: God Chooses Some People Above Others

Lesson Scripture: Rom. 9:1-21

MEMORY VERSE

“For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy,

and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. So then it

is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy”

(Romans 9:15-16) NKJV.

 RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES NOT ENOUGH

  Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisees were known for their fastidious keeping of their religious practices—praying at specific hours of the day, fasting at specified periods, paying tithe of everything, giving alms to the poor. They were keenly aware that they surpassed other people in their religious efforts; and believed that they have gained special position in God’s eyes for serving Him so religiously. They felt pleased with themselves and believed that God must be pleased with them. This is apparent in the prayer offered by the Pharisee compared to the one offered by the tax collector. Whatever religious activity or service one offers to God that does not proceed from a contrite heart is contaminated before God and is therefore, an abomination. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Point of Emphasis: The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such that have a contrite spirit.

Prayer Point: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: 1 Thess. 5:12-28; Evening: Ps. 71-73

BACKGROUND

Self-righteousness is the belief and attitude that one can satisfy the righteousness which God demands through one’s effort. Religious activities or service one offers to God that does not proceed from a contrite heart is contaminated and is an abomination. Some people may feel their lives are pleasing to God because of the Church they attend or their parents who happen to be Christians. Such self-righteousness attitude makes one blind to the fact that one needs Jesus to be saved. Today’s teaching stands on the foundation of the righteousness through the blood of Jesus and not putting one’s hope on religious activities which will not make one get to heaven.

NOTES ON THE LESSON

PART 1: BASIS FOR JEWS’ SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS – ROM. 9:1-5

Jews are descendants of Abraham, the friend of God. They are aware of the special relationship that Abraham had with God and God’s covenant with him. They are proud of and do declare that they are a special people in God’s agenda. They assume that they are spiritually better than any other race for the following reasons:

(i) The Jewish race was adopted by God as His son (Exo. 4:22);

(ii) They experienced God’s glory on Mount Sinai and in the temple; they had with them the Mercy Seat, which represented God’s presence, in the tabernacle in their midst;

(iii) God gave their ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the covenant;

(iv) God gave them the laws which regulate God’s relationship with man;

(v) God gave the promise of the Messiah to them.

So are some Christians who thought in their hearts that they are better than others.

PART 2: DANGER OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS – ROM. 9:6-13

The Jews believe they are special and acceptable to God on the basis of God’s covenant and promises to Abraham which cannot be broken. This belief made them insensitive to their need of salvation, even when Jesus was trying to convince them. They assumed that God gave them comparative advantage and victory over the inhabitants of Canaan because they were righteous before God. The fact that God drove out the Canaanites for them was not because of their righteousness (Deut. 9:4). They were just as sinful as the Canaanites. The favour which God gave them did not confer on them redemption automatically.

Proper understanding of God’s covenant with Abraham shows that God reserves His sovereignty in choosing who benefits from His mercy. He chose Isaac and not Ishmael; He chose Jacob and not Esau—not because those who received mercy were better than those rejected. God chooses to show mercy to whoever He pleases. God’s mercy that brings salvation through Jesus Christ is also dispensed at God’s sovereign will. Understanding this fact will make those who are saved to be eternally grateful to God and to hold their salvation with fear and trembling; lest they forfeit the mercy shown to them. No one comes to Jesus to be saved unless the Father moves him to do so (Jn. 6:44). Self-righteousness makes one become complacent; making one have the feeling that it is God who needs one because of one’s righteousness. The person who thinks he stands should take heed lest he falls.

PART 3: RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN SELECTION – ROM. 9:14-21

The debate about “free will” and “predestination” has been an age long debate. Chapter 9 of Romans presents the argument that God has the right to save whoever He chooses. Human argument against “divine selection” is that it’s unfair or unjust for God to reject some people while He chooses to save some. This argument is however flawed in that it presupposes that God is choosing between two persons who are deserving of His favour. All men have come short of the glory of God; everyone is under the condemnation of sin.

In human government, the head of state is given the power to show prerogative of mercy to some prisoners. All prisoners have been tried and found guilty and deserve to be punished. While serving their punishment, the head of state is given the power to pardon or release those he chooses to show mercy to. The prisoner who is not released cannot accuse the head of state of being unjust because he was not released. It is important to note that the issue of God’s prerogative in showing mercy does not negate repentance and faith. Believers should not downplay the preaching of the Gospel on the promises that God will show mercy to whom He pleases. The Holy Spirit convict, regenerate and make one to turn a new person. Those that are shown mercy by God are those who repent from their sins and give their live to Him.

CONCLUSION

No one can earn God’s mercy as reward for one’s righteousness. God shows mercy to whoever He chooses and has compassion on whoever He decides to. No man should therefore boast of his righteousness.

QUESTIONS

1. Explain how Jews are descendants of Abraham.

2. Explain why the Jews considered themselves special and holier than any other on earth.

3. Mention the reasons why the Jews assume they are better than the rest of the world.

4. What are the consequences of having self-righteousness?

5. How would you explain God’s action and authority in choosing whoever He wants to save?

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

©2022 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOFAMINT Worldwide.