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Self-justification

Luke 10:29
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ (NIVUK)

Most people like to think that they are 'in the right'.  Having failed to trap Jesus, the religious expert now found himself trapped when the Master told him that if he did everything right (including loving his neighbour), he would inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).  But nobody, not even the most religious person, manages to get everything right: and the Jews interpreted the command to 'love your neighbour' as meaning - 'Be generous, but only to other Jews'. So, the theologian challenged Jesus to confirm his interpretation, although the text says that he 'wanted to justify himself'.

Wanting to justify ourselves is a characteristic of human sinfulness.  We like to set the standards against which we judge ourselves; but although our minds are content with the verdict, our hearts are never at peace unless our standards agree with God's.  Even religious people can use the fine detail of a sacred text to rationalise wrong thinking, false words and wicked actions; instead of asking the big question, "What does God want from me?"  

Micah 6:8 gives the answer: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.". In other words, the Jewish teacher already knew the answer, but he did not want it to apply to himself.

The Bible is designed to apply to everybody who reads it.  God had no intention of constructing a set of theological ideas for discussion by clever people, or moral frameworks for humans to ignore.  He was revealing His heart, the design principles upon which the world was formed and His love for the people He has made.  Despite their rebellion, He has written about the way He has provided so that they might be welcomed back into His Kingdom (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more).  So, the Bible is intended for everybody (Acts 17:30), not just as a great piece of literature but as a personal letter to sinful people telling them how to be saved from the wrath of God.  It really does apply to us all.  So, in conversations at work or in our local community, it is only sensible to promote what God has to say and to treat His words as if He is speaking to us as individuals ... which He is!

Prayer 
Gracious God. Thank You for this reminder to examine my attitude to Your holy Word. Thank You for revealing Yourself in the pages of Scripture so that I, my family and colleagues might come to know You and to receive Your love and mercy. Please forgive me when I have disregarded Your clear instructions and even used Your Word to justify attitudes which Your Word will never allow. Help me to be straightforward with myself, accepting that You mean what You say. And please enable me to be more courageous with my friends, explaining to them that You have written to them with messages of love and hope, and that You want them to welcome what You have to say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams