Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8822 self-justification A self-centred attitude by which people defend their actions and beliefs without reference to God. Scripture insists that the confidence and ultimate justification of believers lie with God, and condemns those who look elsewhere for these. The impossibility of self-justification Self-justification is impossible before a holy God Job 25:4 See also 1 Samuel 6:20; Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:17 Justification is achieved by God, not by people Romans 5:1-2 See also Romans 3:27-30; Galatians 2:20-21 How self-justification occurs Self-justification occurs through ignoring God and his ways Nehemiah 9:16 See also Luke 16:14-15 Self-justification occurs through pride Luke 18:9-14 See also Matthew 23:1-7 pp Mark 12:38-39 pp Luke 20:45-46; Romans 2:17-27 Self-justification occurs through legalism Luke 10:25-29 See also Galatians 3:1-5; Galatians 5:4 Self-justification causes separation from God and Jesus Christ Galatians 5:4 See also Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 18:9-14 Examples of self-justification Genesis 3:8-12 Adam; Exodus 32:19-24 Aaron; 1 Samuel 13:7-14 Saul; Matthew 19:16-22 pp Mark 10:17-22 pp Luke 18:18-23 the rich young man; Philippians 3:4-9 Paul as a Pharisee God's attitude to self-justification God's condemnation of self-justification God's punishment of self-justification Proverbs 29:1 See also Genesis 3:8-19; Jeremiah 6:19-23 The true basis of justification People are justified by God's grace alone Ephesians 2:8-9 See also Romans 3:21-24; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4-7 God accepts those who trust in his mercy without trying to justify themselves Psalm 130:3-4 See also Psalm 143:2; Luke 18:9-14 See also
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