Eternal life, as presented in the Bible, is the gift of everlasting communion with God, granted through faith in Jesus Christ. However, throughout Scripture, there is a recurring theme of individuals who mistakenly believe they can earn this divine gift through their own righteousness and works. This entry explores the biblical perspective on the self-righteous pursuit of eternal life through works, highlighting key passages and teachings.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding righteousness and the futility of self-reliance. Isaiah 64:6 declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This verse underscores the inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness before a holy God. The Law, given through Moses, was intended to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, not as a means to earn eternal life (Galatians 3:24).

The Rich Young Ruler

A poignant New Testament example is the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, as recorded in Matthew 19:16-22 . The young man asks Jesus, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?" Jesus responds by pointing him to the commandments, but the young man insists he has kept them all. Jesus then challenges him to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing the man's attachment to wealth and his misunderstanding of the nature of true righteousness. This narrative illustrates the futility of relying on one's own deeds for salvation.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

In Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to address those "who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt." The Pharisee boasts of his religious deeds, while the tax collector humbly pleads for God's mercy. Jesus concludes, "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God." This parable highlights the danger of self-righteousness and the necessity of humility and repentance.

Paul's Teachings on Justification by Faith

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, consistently argues against the notion of earning salvation through works. In Ephesians 2:8-9 , he writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Paul emphasizes that eternal life is a gift of grace, received through faith in Christ, not a reward for human effort.

Warnings Against Legalism

Paul also warns against the dangers of legalism, which is the belief that adherence to the law can secure one's standing before God. In Galatians 5:4 , he cautions, "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace." This warning serves as a reminder that reliance on works for salvation leads to separation from the grace offered through Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently reveals that eternal life cannot be earned through self-righteous works. Instead, it is a gift of grace, accessible through faith in Jesus Christ. The self-righteous pursuit of eternal life through works is a misunderstanding of the nature of salvation, which is rooted in God's mercy and grace.Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Lord Our Righteousness
... And then he immediately adds, "Think not that ... a better righteousness, whereon he
might depend for eternal life. ... The young man being self-righteous, and willing ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

The vineyard Labourers.
... consistent, and clear; and it is, I think, correct ... who are disciples indeed, and
shall inherit eternal life, are so marred by self-righteous admixtures, and ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/ix the vineyard labourers.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... but since we are fallen, sickly, disordered, self-righteous creatures, we ... and see
what a self-denying life he led ... spirit to help, and the same eternal crown at ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

The Withering Work of the Spirit
... duty to preach Jesus Christ even to self-righteous sinners, but ... I think those who
experience much of it when ... God." "God hath given to us eternal life, and this ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the withering work of the.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... cup, others who vomit the swearer's oaths, and some who have the proud, self-righteous
look which ... "Shall I be banished for my life,. ... Shall I endure eternal death ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... Note, the self-righteous man does not adapt himself to the time ... the nearer is God
with his eternal blessings ... the presence of those whom in this life they scorned ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

Saved by Grace;
... that shall go to heaven in an eternal decree of ... good Spirit our graces are maintained
in life and vigour ... Not the self-righteous, not they that have no need of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/saved by grace.htm

The Sunday-School Teacher --A Steward
... you may be encouraged in any self-righteous congratulation that ... Ah! that will bring
a little life into the ... who will receive you into eternal habitations"that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sunday-school teachera steward.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... a few, or the most fine of the works of the ... are yet in their filthiness, and that
think themselves rich ... shalt stand in need of salvation and eternal life of God ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... 2. See Burrough's Works, p.304. ... I think it meet also, to stir up thy heart by way
of ... if by any means he may, to make thee fall short of eternal life (1 Peter 5 ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

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