“…As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “… [ALL have become]…..unclean and [their] righteousnesses (goodness) are as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
“… there is NONE GOOD but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV).
“… Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted…” (Luke 18:9-14 NLT).
*
Nancy couldn’t believe she was sent to hell. She thought she’d been a “good” person her whole life, UNTIL she saw her life’s VIDEO. Even though the bible said nobody was good, but God, she thought she was the exception to the rule.
She knew the scripture about how everyone fell short of the glory of God. Since she’d become saved she thought her righteous ways were above all others.
If heaven had a school, where the school voted for the best saint, she imagined she would become the valedictorian.
She had treated salvation or accepting Christ as a formality in order to get into heaven. Nancy had followed every commandment since she was old enough to understand them.
She thought she didn’t need to depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit like others did. She was arrogant about her own personal goodness and had never really experienced a healthy or convicting guilt before a Holy God.
She needed salvation to get into heaven, but she didn’t need God’s help to live righteous upon earth. At least, that’s what she thought. She was rigid and legalistic at her best.
She thought she was good all by herself. She didn’t think she was being vain or self-righteous, but it turned out she was wrong.
After viewing her life’s VIDEO she SAW EVERYTHING crystal clear. Her concept of righteousness was weak and her perspective of goodness was flawed by the sinful nature.
Over her lifetime Nancy had often rationalized her “small” sins and didn’t see them as unholy or as transgressions against God.
But God was a HOLY God and there was NO sin in him, not even “small” sins. God was the ONLY one who could truly boast in HIS goodness or righteousness.
No human being can truly say they know what it is like to live without sin. However, the sin nature was NOT originally created sinful. It was created as a body or a human, earthen vessel formed from the dust of the ground. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
At one time everything God CREATED was GOOD. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Holy Spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
Mankind was created GOOD, because God is GOOD . His Holy Spirit was a PART of mankind, in the beginning. In addition, one of the fruit of his Holy Spirit is goodness. The bible says: “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, GOODness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Apart from [the Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot produce GOOD]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
If anything or ANYONE, upon earth is GOOD, it is because his Holy Spirit is a PART of them! “…[God, the HOLY SPIRIT]... is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord... [God] ... is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “...there is “NONE” good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
God’s GOODNESS is a WITNESS to and the GLORY of his DIVINE nature. Goodness was NOT a natural part of Nancy’s nature. “…The invisible [SPIRIT]…from the creation of the world is … [his] eternal power… [and his]....divine nature…[which are]...clearly seen (witnessed), (HOW is his power and nature witnessed?).... being understood (being made aware of or manifested) (HOW are they understood or manifested?)... by the things that are MADE (his created goodnesses) …” (Romans 1:20 KJV).
“...there is “NONE” good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV). “…[God, the invisible Holy Spirit is]... GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “...there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…All he DOES (God, the Holy Spirit DOES) is just and GOOD….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).
“…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (this was good), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (this was good); and man became a living soul (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
“…[God, the invisible Holy Spirit is]... GOOD …” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…All he DOES (God, the Holy Spirit DOES) is just and GOOD….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).
“…And the LORD God formed (shaped, molded, etc.) man [of] the dust of the ground (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made (including the BODY or FLESH made from the dust of the ground)……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
Nancy had been incredibly self-righteous and she thought she was capable of being GOOD without the HELP of God’s Holy Spirit. Mankind had NOT been GOOD since the beginning of creation. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (this was good), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (this was good); and man became a living soul (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw everything he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
What made mankind GOOD was God, the Holy Spirit. “…And the LORD God ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (his Holy Spirit) (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
“…[God is]... GOOD …” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is ... GOODness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Apart from [the Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot be GOOD]…” (John 15:5 NIV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
There was NO WAY Nancy could be GOOD without God’s HOLY SPIRIT. God was the “good” and “righteous” “breathe of life.” “… [God, the Holy Spirit is]... GOOD …” (Psalm 119:68 KJV).
The “breathe of life” IS SPIRIT. God “IS” SPIRIT. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV).
It is God’s SPIRIT that contains and produces both goodness and righteousness. As self-righteous as Nancy thought she had been , upon earth, only God could truly give her the “gift of righteousness.” “... God’s ... gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT). “…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).
Mankind was, originally, GIVEN a portion of God’s SPIRIT, which made mankind a “LIVING SOUL. “…And the LORD God ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (this was good); and man became a living soul (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
“…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you (again and this is good)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…and man (woman) became a living soul (this was good)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (again and this is good)…” (John 3:6 NLT). “...The Spirit GIVES life...” (John 6:63 NIV). “...He is ... God (the Holy Spirit IS THE ONE) who made the world and everything in it ...He himself gives life (spiritual life) and breath (existence) to everything...” (Acts 17:24-25 NLT). “...[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
It was Nancy’s SOUL that was meant to become righteous, not her flesh. The bible said Jesus RESTORES the SOUL.
God, through the GIFT of Salvation restores the unrighteous soul from slavery to the SINFUL nature. “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB).
Nancy realized accepting Jesus Christ was MORE than just a formality. “IN” Christ her unredeemed soul was meant to be restored and made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).
The Holy Spirit and NOT the so-called good or self-righteous deeds of her flesh made her truly GOOD and RIGHTEOUS in God’s sight? “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE (spiritual alive) with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…he(she) that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). The Holy God, who is truly GOOD. “…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “... and man (woman) ...[becomes]... a living soul (AGAIN)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
A soul that is spiritually ALIVE, possesses spiritual goodness, again.
Her self-righteousness kept her a slave to the sinful nature. A GOOD deed is not equivalent to being or becoming, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, a “good” person. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV). “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Nancy had followed the instructions of her flesh on how to be “good” and “righteous” and NOT the Holy Spirit. She became conceited about it. “….When you follow the desires (influences) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
Every “good” thing Nancy thought she’d done, she done depending upon her own sinful nature. “…All have sinned (all are born with a sin nature only) and fallen short of the glory of God (born without the indwelling holy spirit)…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling holy spirit)….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
Nancy realized that all the sinful nature knows how to do is SIN. So her “goodness” without the Holy Spirit, was tainted by the sinful nature. She didn’t do “good” deeds because she WAS SPIRITUALLY good. She did them because she was self-righteous. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (the symptoms of that nature, which are transgressions against God’s holy law) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have this nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
God is GOOD, so his deeds are ALL done in GOODNESS. Nancy did GOOD deeds, but ALL her deeds were done in self-righteousness.
In self-righteousness Nancy’s sinful nature was NOT helping her OBEY God. Whether she liked it or not, her her sinful nature ONLY had a proclivity to DISOBEY God. “…The sinful nature is always hostile (against) to God . …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
The bible was CLEAR about GOOD. If anything, upon earth is GOOD, it is because his Holy Spirit is UPON it or a PART of it! “…[God, the HOLY SPIRIT]... is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord... [God] ... is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “...there is “NONE” good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
"....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Apart from [the Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot produce true GOOD]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Turns out, Nancy’s self-righteous behaviors were NOT righteous behavior at all. She thought she was GOOD because of what she DID, but God requires his people to DO GOOD because of who they had become “IN” Christ. A truly good deed was meant to be equivalent to one’s spiritually good character. “…The flesh (ethical or self-righteous behavior) profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (ethical or self-righteous behavior) accomplishes nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor (ethical or self-righteous behavior), and if I give my body to be burned (ethical or self-righteous behavior), but have not love (God is LOVE), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING (there will be NO eternal reward)…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the salt has become tasteless … It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
Without trusting and depending upon God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, Nancy was a sinful nature merely doing a “good” deed with a self-righteous attitude. She was NOT being empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to be spiritually “good.” “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT)."....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Apart from [the Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot produce true GOODNESS]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Her self-righteous behaviors were influenced by her sinful nature, which was always hostile toward God. Her sinful nature ONLY had a natural proclivity to sin. Nancy did “good” the way SHE wanted to do it and “NOT” the way God had prepared. “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God . …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (a slave to the sin nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (having a sin nature) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
Upon earth, Nancy was considered, exceptionally good when compared to the average Christian. Her self-righteous behavior was supreme when it came to ethical integrity.
Nancy had NONE of the obvious DEEDS of the flesh and you could hardly accuse her of the “little” sins either. However, God saw her self-righteous heart. “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).
“…No one needed… to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…[The]...Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT). The heart (the information center of the SOUL) “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
Her biggest mistake was thinking she could be righteous or good AT ALL, without the help, assistance, and empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Thus, “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man (woman) upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “… [ALL have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to BE good, by doing good deeds is) as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
Nancy CREATED her OWN IMAGE in order to APPEAR righteous to others. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).
She was successful at appearing good or righteous on the OUTSIDE, but inside was her TRUE SELF and TRUE NATURE, which was conceited and boastful.
Nancy CREATED a GOOD IMAGE, upon earth, without God, but she never allowed or invited the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower her to ACTUALLY become a GOOD person. .“….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
Nancy CREATED the image she wanted, which is NOT the same as allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to conform YOU into the image of Jesus Christ.
The bible is CLEAR about the image God’s WANTS! “….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…..God created man (woman) in his “own” image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).
“…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).“...and man (woman) became a living soul (soul) ... [AGAIN] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
Therefore, “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
“...Be … imitators of ...[Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
“...For in him we live, and move, and have our being (our NEW IDENTITY or IMAGE)...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).
As HIGH as her code of conduct was, upon earth, it didn’t EARN her entrance into heaven. There was NO RIGHTEOUSNESS or GOODNESS unless JESUS gave it to you. Jesus was the ONLY way!
God, the Holy Spirit, is the STANDARD for righteousness or goodness. He is SINLESS. Without God, the Holy Spirit, no man or woman could live a righteous enough life that EARNS them eternity.
Nancy was in HELL, because she was egotistically self-righteous. It seemed unfair, because, at least, she was doing good deeds. Hell was an extreme punishment, she thought, for being self-righteous.
God is HOLY and JUST. And even in HELL Nancy was trying to justify herself and rationalize her self-righteous heart as an insignificant transgression against God. Instantly she knew her justifications and rationalizations were sinfully flawed.
God, had the sovereign right to set the terms and conditions for his PLAN of SALVATION. Jesus is THE WAY. Jesus’ WAY is HOLY!
Nancy had tried to make a NEW way, through her self-righteous efforts. She tried to EARN her way into heaven, so she could BOAST about her “own” self-made salvation. “…for BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE [FREE]…GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
She WAS “NOT” GOOD in God’s eyes. She was a SINFUL NATURE doing ethical deeds she thought made her righteous or good.
God’s PLAN of SALVATION was the ONLY WAY, for her, to become truly RIGHTEOUS. Jesus is THE WAY.
Standing, in line, in HELL’S CORRIDOR she had NOTHING to boast about. She had NOTHING to be conceited about or egotistical about. Her self-righteousness was an justifiable judgement of sin.
God sent Jesus to DIE for her sins. To be self-righteous was to SAY she didn’t NEED his plan of Salvation, to be righteous, and she could do it on her own through the sinful nature.
The TRUTH WAS this: “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (a slave to the sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (having a sinful nature) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
God loved Nancy and he sent Jesus to REDEEM her, yet she had rejected him and damned herself to HELL.
Her self-righteous deeds compared to God’s indwelling holiness amounted to zilch. HELL was for the self-righteous. NOBODY was righteous without the indwelling Holy Spirit. Everybody was a sinful nature and born without the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Christ died, to free man, from the influences of the sinful nature. Those who are freed from the sinful nature would receive, the gift, of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
The gift of eternal life was THE WAY into heaven, but self-righteousness, through fleshly deeds, was NOT the way. Nancy thought she could accept Christ in order to get into heaven, but it was ALL lip service, because she had rejected his indwelling Holy Spirit, which includes the GIFT of righteousness.
Self-righteousness SAVED no one. “...if keeping the law (through self-effort) could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ do die...” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
It certainly had not SAVED Nancy. She credited her righteousness to her sinful nature and HELL is where she ended up. “... Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9 KJV).
Nancy let out a loud screeching and tormenting wail as Benjamin Morgan joined their line. William P. Parson squirmed as he moved closer to the D-elevators.
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