Deeper Life #122

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

—Luke 16:15

WHAT IS MOST HIGHLY ESTEEMED among men and women today? The god of this present age is “my mastery over myself.”

Many attempt to face our Lord Jesus Christ with moral self-righteousness, proud to think they have subjected themselves to an exacting moral law. But Christ never looks at a person’s external life. Christ often treats with a light hand the moral lepers, yet puts the most tremendous denunciations on those who seem to be all right.

Your disposition of “my right to myself” must go. Do not think your salvation consists of your morality, your holiness, your experiences, or anything else based on this disposition of self-rule.

God grant that you may be crucified with Christ. There is no hope anywhere under heaven but in the Cross of Jesus. God made Him to be sin for your sake, because sin is your usual disposition. It must be removed here and now, or you will be damned.

Prayer Thought: To You I cling, Lord Jesus. You are my only hope of salvation.

SUGGESTED READING: Luke 16:13–17