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 1Sa 6:20; Mal 3:2; Rev 6:17

Justification is achieved by God, not by people Ro 5:1-2 See also Ro 3:27-30; Gal 2:20-21

How self-justification occurs

Self-justification occurs through ignoring God and his ways Ne 9:16 See also Lk 16:14-15

Self-justification occurs through pride Lk 18:9-14 See also Mt 23:1-7 pp Mk 12:38-39 pp Lk 20:45-46; Ro 2:17-27

Self-justification occurs through legalism Lk 10:25-29 See also Gal 3:1-5; Gal 5:4

Self-justification causes separation from God and Jesus Christ

Gal 5:4 See also Mt 18:21-35; Lk 18:9-14

Examples of self-justification

Ge 3:8-12 Adam; Ex 32:19-24 Aaron; 1Sa 13:7-14 Saul; Mt 19:16-22 pp Mk 10:17-22 pp Lk 18:18-23 the rich young man; Php 3:4-9 Paul as a Pharisee

God’s attitude to self-justification

God’s condemnation of self-justification Ro 2:1-11

God’s punishment of self-justification Pr 29:1 See also Ge 3:8-19; Jer 6:19-23

The true basis of justification

People are justified by God’s grace alone Eph 2:8-9 See also Ro 3:21-24; Tit 2:11; Tit 3:4-7

God accepts those who trust in his mercy without trying to justify themselves Ps 130:3-4 See also Ps 143:2; Lk 18:9-14

See also