Matthew 22:35-40 NLT
One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap Him with this question: [36] "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" [37] Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' [40] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
The Divine Yardstick by which we all will be judged is declared by Jesus here in this passage.
With shame, I admit that I have failed miserably on both counts.
My love for God hasn't been wholehearted and exclusive, moreover, certainly I haven't loved my neighbour as much as I love myself!
Even my best side is fatally flawed. I can't present my "good bits" and expect the Lord to pat me on the head and say "well done".
My friend is totally offended when she's told she's not good enough to get to Heaven on her own merits.
Obviously, she's measuring herself up against other equally fallible humans.
But the God of the Bible states:
Isaiah 64:6 NLT
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags (used menstrual cloths). Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
Who would wave a bloodied tampon in someone's face and expect them to be impressed?
Yet that is the analogy that God is using here. Presenting our good deeds to Him is like waving a used sanitary towel before Him. Of course, He is repulsed!
The ONLY WAY is via The Cross - Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away our sin for the simple act of believing in Him.
It's very humiliating to realise that I'm hopeless and helpless before a Holy God, but it's the sole way to redemption.
John 3:16 NLT
"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
As we get older, it's easy to see that we're perishing - like a worn out hot water bottle!
Jesus offers, freely, a way out of our plight by just believing - that's such good news.
As the old hymn says:
"This is my story
To God be the glory
I'm only a sinner
Saved by grace"
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