Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Job 25:4The impossibility of self-justification See also Self-justification is impossible before a holy God 1 Samuel 6:20Malachi 3:2 Revelation 6:17 Romans 5:1-2 See also Justification is achieved by God, not by people Romans 3:27-30Galatians 2:20-21 Nehemiah 9:16 How self-justification occurs See also Self-justification occurs through ignoring God and his ways Luke 16:14-15Luke 18:9-14 See also Self-justification occurs through pride Matthew 23:1-7Romans 2:17-27 pp Mk 12:38-39 pp Lk 20:45-46 Luke 10:25-29See also Self-justification occurs through legalism Galatians 3:1-5; 5:4Galatians 5:4 Self-justification causes separation from God and Jesus Christ See also Matthew 18:21-35Luke 18:9-14 Genesis 3:8-12 Examples of self-justification Exodus 32:19-24Adam 1 Samuel 13:7-14Aaron Matthew 19:16-22Saul pp Mk 10:17-22 Philippians 3:4-9pp Lk 18:18-23 the rich young man Paul as a Pharisee Romans 2:1-11God's attitude to self-justification God's condemnation of self-justification Proverbs 29:1See also God's punishment of self-justification Genesis 3:8-19Jeremiah 6:19-23 Ephesians 2:8-9 The true basis of justification See also People are justified by God's grace alone Romans 3:21-24Titus 2:11; 3:4-7 Psalms 130:3-4 See also God accepts those who trust in his mercy without trying to justify themselves Psalms 143:2Luke 18:9-14 See also 1025 God, anger of4030 world, behaviour in 5944 self-defence 6181 ignorance 6668 grace, and Jesus Christ 6678 justification, Christ's work 6687 mercy, God's 8277 innocence 8804 pride, examples 8827 selfishness 9310 resurrection |
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