Topical Bible: Eternal Death: Self-Righteousness Leads To

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Eternal death, as understood within Christian theology, refers to the ultimate separation from God, resulting in everlasting punishment. This concept is often contrasted with eternal life, which is the everlasting communion with God. A significant biblical theme is the danger of self-righteousness, which can lead to eternal death.

Self-Righteousness Defined

Self-righteousness is the belief in one's own righteousness, often accompanied by a sense of moral superiority over others. It is characterized by a reliance on one's own deeds and merits rather than on the grace and mercy of God. The Bible warns against this attitude, as it can blind individuals to their need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Warnings Against Self-Righteousness

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the peril of self-righteousness. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays with pride, while the tax collector humbly asks for God's mercy. Jesus concludes, "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

The Apostle Paul also addresses self-righteousness in his epistles. In Romans 10:3 BSB, he writes about the Israelites, "Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness." Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes from faith in Christ, not from the law or personal merit.

Consequences of Self-Righteousness

Self-righteousness leads to a false sense of security and a rejection of the need for a Savior. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:21-23 BSB, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’" This passage underscores that self-righteous acts, devoid of genuine faith and relationship with Christ, lead to eternal separation from God.

The Remedy for Self-Righteousness

The Bible calls for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the remedy for self-righteousness. In Philippians 3:8-9 BSB, Paul declares, "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."

The call to humility and reliance on God's grace is echoed throughout Scripture. James 4:6 BSB states, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" The path to eternal life is marked by a humble acknowledgment of one's need for God's grace and the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... for God to condemn him to eternal death, that so ... of itself, is mean and miserable,
and worketh death. ... 6. This spurious repentance leads to self-righteousness. ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

On the Feast of a Holy Bishop
... cleanse them from all pride and self-righteousness; and, in ... by the thought of them,
leads such men ... of self-satisfaction, which causes the eternal death of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxii on the feast.htm

Healing for the Wounded
... the throne of him who leads the host ... one day learn with terror, that self -righteousness
is hateful ... a step between themselves and eternal death." Oh, blessings ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/healing for the wounded.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... governs and guides, shepherds and leads, teaches and ... jurists and their kind, with
their self-righteousness. ... Eternal death, the wages of sin, is abolished, and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... side, and pledged as his faithful and eternal Friend ... in riches, and have no bands
in his death, all according ... This is nothing but self-righteousness and unbelief ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Last Things
... some of you would look at your self-righteousness in the ... still, a life as eternal
as the Eternal God himself ... this world we are told that after death there comes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm

The Spirit not Striving Always.
... All self-righteousness must be rejected entirely, and Christ ... of feeling and thought
which leads to Universalism. ... the question of eternal life or eternal death! ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xvi the spirit not striving.htm

Justification.
... This leads me to say,. ... and believing, subject however to condemnation and eternal
death, unless he ... faith, as opposed to mere works of law or self-righteousness. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm

For whom did Christ Die?
... Self-righteousness is a folly, and despair is a crime, since ... upon, when men have
put from them eternal life, and ... how to get the merit of that death applied to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/for whom did christ die.htm

Sin and Grace
... You must starve the sinner's self-righteousness to mane him ... That as sin hath reigned
unto death, even so ... grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm