Works Of Iniquityedit

Aug. 22, 2008

The Works of Iniquity

Kathleen Maples

Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

I can't imagine standing before God and bragging on myself and what I did and then turn and put others down. I have seen this happen. Consider the preacher that prays openly in the service before the congregation who has been beat down and discouraged by the preacher who gets up in himself, judging after the sight of his eyes and hearing of his ears. He has measured them by his own yardstick and found them lacking. He brow beats them about how he loves God and does what he is supposed to and would God please help this congregation to do better because they just aren't doing what they should. They don't worship like they should. He has to tell them to raise their hands to God when he shouldn't have to tell them to do this. He doesn't realize he has so disheartened the people by continually pointing out their flaws they no longer feel worthy to worship the Lord. It's the same principle. God hates this attitude. People all have something they are trusting in-mostly in themselves and what works they do. Luk 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Luk 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Luk 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

People are standing all around Jesus hearing His quiet Word. Some peer at him through narrowed eyes, imagining Him to be much less than what He actually is, and disdaining what He is saying in their hearts. Some are listening carefully, trying to find fault. Others are listening, His Word creating a spark of hope lighting up their heart, and they look at their little ones, and they love their little ones, and they begin to wonder and hope. They know the Pharisees are rigid and

unapproachable. They have the religious talk and look down pat but there is no deliverance in their message, no power in their lives to change anything for the better except outwardly. They care more about money and power than the needs of the people. With them it's about keeping up appearances and maintaining positions of authority. But this Man is so different..and they gather courage and step toward Jesus with their little ones.. I can see His eyes soften as He watches them step forward, hesitantly at first, unsure of their reception, and a smile lights up His beloved face as His arms open wide to receive them. He patiently cuts through the objections of those who disapprove and would push the children away, but no, allow them to come to Me, bring them to Me, for the easy way children believe what they are told, the way children readily accept what they hear as truth is how you who would enter into the kingdom of God must receive it or you will not enter in. Learn from the children, He is saying. Children can't give anything back, you see. They take and take, but they possess nothing to offer but their love and trust. How precious He is to show us these things! What a magnificent Christ we have! He places a high value on a mere human being putting faith and trust in Him. How amazing that is to my heart. Luk 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luk 18:19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that

is, God. Luk 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. Luk 18:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luk 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Somebody steps forward, the rich young ruler, Scripture says. He has been educated in theology, and perhaps doesn't totally agree with the Lord's teaching. Maybe he just wants to be seen in this crowd of people, and thought of as accepted by this Teacher, as he was by the religious establishment. From the Word of God we see this man had authority and wealth, and religion. He seemed to have it all. He approaches the Holy One with his self righteous assurance thinking perhaps to be commended? What must I do to inherit eternal life, he asks, thinking he's already done everything right. Whatever could be left? Was he looking for a pat on the back? Was he looking for the Master to point to him and tell the crowd this is how they should be? He surely stepped forward, putting self on display here to the Master, and the crowd. What would be Jesus' response to his life, himself, and his good works?

The Lord looked at this man with love. There was no arrogance, no haughty sense of Perfection staring down His nose at imperfection. We read that in Mark's account of these events, Mar_10:21. The word is "agapeo". I just recently dug into the word "Beloved" in the Scriptures, and it is "agapetos" and the two have different meanings. Whereas the 2nd word means 'well and clearly loved favorite', this one means to be fond of, to love dearly. Similar in meaning but it does not imply the intimacy of the word "beloved". There is no sense that this loved one belongs to the Lord nor shares the Lord's heart. Standing in the crowd of people, listening, the young man had heard Jesus talk about persevering prayer in the face of prejudice and impossibility. He heard what Jesus said about unstoppable faith and religious pride and a sinner's repentant heart. The Lord was speaking to people in the midst of this crowd who were trusting in their own righteousness to save them. He heard Him talk about humility, and childlike faith that refuses to stop believing in God and His promises, no matter how impossible it may appear. Jesus knew there were the self-righteous, arrogantly religious people in this crowd. He also knows there are those who will hear in this crowd-those who were poor and needy always flocked to where Jesus was. Even when they were pushed to the background, the edges of the crowd, often by those who thought themselves better, Jesus knew they were there. His kindness, His gentleness was an irresistible thing that drew them. He's illustrated the difference between the self righteous and the humble when they pray. Jesus reminds him of the commandments and the man agrees and says he has always kept these. But Jesus knows there is something he lacks. He looks at the man, and tells him to sell what he has and give to the poor and follow Him. This upset and grieved this man because he was wealthy. Why did Jesus tell the man to sell what he had? In my heart I believe it was because Jesus knew this man placed undue importance on things-and that would tie him to this world. They that cannot let go of this world and separate themselves from it in their heart-or allow God to do this for them, will not leave this world with Him when He comes back for His Bride, but go down with it. Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

If you want to be perfect-complete, then don't lay up treasure down here that will rot, that other men will end up with, because you can't take it with you. When you lay up treasure on earth you are making provision for your self, but God is our Provision. He didn't mean the basic necessities. However, the first church-that Spirit filled church that had power with God, that were full of His Holy Spirit and shook their generation, gave up everything they didn't need and sold it to further the Gospel and minister to the poor and needy. What does this have to do with you? You're not rich you say? Well, Jesus was telling this man give up all you have. Cut your ties with this world, with yourself, your ways, your thoughts, and when you give up everything you are, then you can follow me, I'll give you My life. We have to empty ourselves before He can fill us. The things we try to hold on to and count dear to us are the very things that will

hinder us from receiving His life, His fullness, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. How is this possible you wonder? It's the Word and the Spirit of God working in you together that will accomplish this if we allow it to happen. (Heb_4:12) When the Word of God which is sharper than any two edged sword that was in the ark of the Covenant was taken into Dagon's temple in 1 Samuel, when the Philistines captured the ark and defeated Israel, killing Eli's sons, they took the ark into the temple of their idol. The next day, they found it bowed before the Word of God. The law of God, the commandments given Moses was in that ark. They set their idol back up and the next day, they found it with its head and hands cut off, on the floor before the Word of God in that ark. When you take the Word into your temple, your vessel, your heart, it will begin to cut you loose from everything unlike Him. Jesus knew that God would send the Holy Spirit after He ascended. Jesus knew without the Holy Spirit to give us this power we could never deny ourselves and take up His cross. We could never get over ourselves enough to submit to Him and follow Him all the way to the cross. I want to draw your attention back to what Jesus said when the man called Him good. Jesus rejected it when this man called Him good. This was God in the flesh. The Son of God doing the works His Father called Him to do. How could He not be good? I know that much of what is preached in churches is not going to line up with what I'm about to say but consider this carefully. Remember, Jesus said this: Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. Joh 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Eph 2:10 tells us we were ordained to good works. Eph 2:9 tells us we cannot boast in works because Eph 2:8 tells us works will not save us, but God's grace alone. This means whatever you labor in to do for Him, whatever task or deed, will not and cannot save you. Consider very carefully how these individuals will fare when they stand before Him on that day, trusting in what they have done:

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

To trust in self and works means His sacrifice was meaningless, and unnecessary. It is to say God was wrong to send His Son to suffer like that. It's to put exalt self above the knowledge of God. It's to reject the sacrifice of the Savior and say I can save myself because I dress like holiness people should. It's to say I can save myself because I fast and pray and others don't. I can save myself because I give to the poor and am nice to people and others aren't. This is why He condemned the Pharisees. We are ordained-meant to walk in good works but we must know that nothing saves us but faith in Him and His sacrifice-that finished work of Calvary that paid the price for our sins in the eyes of a HOLY GOD. Whatever else we do, we should always point away from self and to HIM as He always pointed to the Father. Now, consider the emphasis I put on certain parts of the Scripture above and let's examine ourselves, as I also must do. I believe this will cut most of us to the quick. The things we do in His name, is it HIM in us doing it? Have we put self so completely out of the way that HE alone is seen and heard in what we do? Are we totally dependent, and seeking His mind, so He can reveal to us what He is doing and would have us do? In order to do His works, we must be in communion with Him and learn from Him in total dependence just as Jesus did, else we can do nothing but misrepresent Him. As Jesus said, the Father shows Him what He does. What has the Father showed us lately, in prayer? Jesus said of His own self He could do nothing, as I hear, I judge, but He didn't seek His own will, but the Father's. He never said "Father I wish to do this or that" but always "Lord, what will THOU have ME to do?" And what self wanted was never a consideration. Without Him in us doing the works we can do nothing acceptable in His sight. If we try to do it in ourselves, He will call it iniquity. God help us. Oh, Lord God help us. We are born in self, raised in self, lived and walked in self so long it has to be a divine operation of God to deliver us from self. This is where the cross must be preached again in the House of God. It's a vital thing that believers understand the purpose and meaning of the cross in their own lives. That is what this believer is seeking to understand. For the next however long it takes, I want to study carefully the cross. Only the Holy Spirit can lead me there and help me understand. That is another reason the Lord sent Him to us. To open truth that is vital to us as we seek it. Thank you Jesus. Lead me to the cross, Holy Spirit, give me grace and courage to not draw back, in Jesus' precious name. Amen.