One of the biggest problems that we have as humans is our inability to accurately assess our own sinfulness. We are inclined to emphasize our goodness and minimize our sin by making excuses and comparing ourselves with others. This doesn’t mean we have to go around beating ourselves, but it does mean we should exercise extreme caution as we self-evaluate. For when we over-emphasize our goodness, we diminish the work of Christ and the gospel. After Jesus interacted with a rich young man (Mt 19:16-22), He told His disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. Why? Rich men are generally self-sufficient and consider themselves blessed by God because of their riches. So they assume, as did that rich young man, that they had kept all the commandments. They didn’t see their need for Jesus. The disciples were amazed thinking that of all people the rich ones had to be right with God. On that basis, they figured getting to the kingdom was hopeless for everyone. But Jesus made a key statement to emphasize the grace of the gospel to us sinners in Matthew 19:26. With humans, kingdom salvation is impossible, but with God everything is possible. That everything is the salvation of anyone. God alone can save sinners. We cannot make ourselves right no matter how much righteousness we can muster. This is why it is foolish and dangerous for us to think ourselves to be good. If we’re trusting our goodness, we’ll end up in hell, but if we’ll confess our sins and trust His promise of salvation, we’ll find the kingdom. May humility over our sin drive us to humble confession so that we might receive the salvation that only God can accomplish. –Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
10AM: Pastor Rory–Matthew 19:16-20:16–The Messiah’s Enduring Wealth (sermon notes)
11:30AM: Annual Church Picnic
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