I was once told by a "Christian" who attended Bible college that his sins were not as bad as the sins of others. I was astounded, no one can be born again who is not broken over the smallest sin of pride.
If any sin we committed is viewed as "not so bad" then we cannot be born again. All sins, no matter how small are worthy of hell because it reveals a sinful nature.
The person who lives a good life, obeying the laws and being a good neighbor will go to hell for not trusting in Christ for what He did to pay the price for their sinful nature.
Those who think they are good but are trusting in themselves, thinking they deserve heaven will not be saved.
It is only Christ Who can pay the penalty of our sinfulness with His blood. No one is good, not one person can say they are good.
Romans 3:10-12
"As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”
People who think they are good and deserve heaven always have the propensity to compare themselves with others, even making up issues that are non-existent to appear superior. These people will wallow in their own self-exalted pride and find themselves in hell hearing those terrible words from God; "I NEVER KNEW YOU."
It takes a broken spirit and humility to become born again. No one who possesses pride will make heaven.
Proverbs 16:18-19 " 18 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.…"
Since our culture has been raised on "self-esteem" it is difficult to find very many people who have been humbled and have repented. Humility and repentance is anathema to someone who prides themselves on how good they think they are and how better than others they perceive themselves.
It is very difficult to reach those with the gospel who are in the church and have themselves on a throne as special. They already believe they are Christians but have never been born again. Once a person has been convinced they are good it is nearly impossible to convince them they are not good. It takes the Holy Spirit working hardships and trials in their life to bring them to the place of despair to be able to see their own wicked state and repent from it.
We can pray for these people, that God would work in their lives but we know they will not listen to those they believe are beneath them. These people hate the traits of God in born-again believers. They hate empathy, kindness and humility, they are considered weak to the one who loves to be in control of everyone else through their accusations of imperfection and their inability to love anyone whom they believe is not "perfect enough."
Sadly the church organizations are full of these "self-righteous" ones who pervert the gospel and lack all the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those who love Christ love people more than they love themselves. They have no need to feel superior or special because Christ is the only ONE WHO is special.
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