Anyone that thinks they are “good enough” for Heaven is damned

Blood Bought 1953

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When I was A wee Lad In college , my freshman English teacher put this on the blackboard on the first day.90% of the class was freaked out over this,probably thinking all their lives that they were good enough...and for the first time in their lives their comfort zone had been violated....any thoughts?
 

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When I was A wee Lad In college , my freshman English teacher put this on the blackboard on the first day.90% of the class was freaked out over this,probably thinking all their lives that they were good enough...and for the first time in their lives their comfort zone had been violated....any thoughts?
Just pray that the teacher's comment took root.
 
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SkyWriting

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When I was A wee Lad In college , my freshman English teacher put this on the blackboard on the first day.90% of the class was freaked out over this,probably thinking all their lives that they were good enough...and for the first time in their lives their comfort zone had been violated....any thoughts?

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the only way into Hell. That teacher is close but I can't be sure.
14but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.
 
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Johnny4ChristJesus

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When I was A wee Lad In college , my freshman English teacher put this on the blackboard on the first day.90% of the class was freaked out over this,probably thinking all their lives that they were good enough...and for the first time in their lives their comfort zone had been violated....any thoughts?

I agree with the teacher, if the person thinks they are good enough at the point they die to this world. But, I also know there are people who might think they are good enough until they meet Jesus and then they realize that HIS is the only righteousness that is good enough to enter heaven and make Him their Lord and Savior.
 
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Blood Bought 1953

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Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the only way into Hell. That teacher is close but I can't be sure.
14but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Just curious....how did you arrive at that conclusion? I thought the teacher was spot-on
 
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SkyWriting

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Just curious....how did you arrive at that conclusion? I thought the teacher was spot-on

There is only one sin that leads to death, and that is rejecting the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:31
"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Mark 3:28-30
"Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"-- because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."

Luke 12:10
"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.
 
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longwait

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To some who were confident of their own righteousness Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
 
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Blood Bought 1953

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To some who were confident of their own righteousness Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

I go to this story quite often.....could be my favorite...I identify with this man......saying “Lord Jesus have mercy on me , a sinner will save anybody...that and that alone
 
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Johnny4ChristJesus

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Anybody that thinks they are “good enough” will never see the need for a Savior......that was the problem with the Pharisees

Wow, this one sentence is loaded. It really had me thinking.

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, I truly believe that up until God turns us over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1) or a strong delusion (2 Thes 2) or we commit the unforgiveable sin (blaspheming the Holy Spirit), that there is still time and ability to repent. In the case of the first two, just like with thinking we can earn heaven, our ability to repent is significantly reduced; but still present. I think of Saul (who became the Apostle Paul). He was a pharisee who was so sure that he was "good enough" that even in the face of hearing Stephen's testimony before the stoning, was approving of the stoning and launched out to imprison other professing Christians. It was only when He had a supernatural experience with the Lord Jesus, that he changed teams and what a powerful "switch" that was! I love to talk to my boys about the Apostle Paul; because of his 180 degree change. And, Jesus still does that today! Thank you, God!

I thought also about "the problem with the pharisees". There was Nicodemus, who tried to cross the party lines. The Scripture about trusting in their own righteousness was posted and that was a problem for the pharisees overall. And, the judgment is on the individual. But, I think another problem--that is also prevalent in today's denominations--is "group think". When people only surround themselves with what they already believe and aren't willing to have that challenged by other's opinions, they can be blinded if that which they are believing isn't in accordance with Truth. So, many, unafraid of crossing the ruling religious class and not wanting to be kicked out, supported what was being said--all the way to demanding Jesus be crucified. With all the divides, how many are still doing that today--while claiming to trust in Jesus' righteousness?
 
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Sarah G

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Sure, none of us are good enough. Only by God's grace can we go to heaven. Thinking oneself good enough wouldn't necessarily damn one but it would be a delusion because it is grace and not works. Hmm, now I disagree with myself. My head is full of quarrel like an egg is full of meat :D

Jesus knew He was good enough for heaven but He is not just 'anyone' and He was also directly descended from the heavenly, spiritual platform so of course He knew that was and is His home. He could also have called on His father to send twelve legions of angels to help him here on earth because well...Jesus Christ isn't just anyone.
 
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Blood Bought 1953

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Wow, this one sentence is loaded. It really had me thinking.

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, I truly believe that up until God turns us over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1) or a strong delusion (2 Thes 2) or we commit the unforgiveable sin (blaspheming the Holy Spirit), that there is still time and ability to repent. In the case of the first two, just like with thinking we can earn heaven, our ability to repent is significantly reduced; but still present. I think of Saul (who became the Apostle Paul). He was a pharisee who was so sure that he was "good enough" that even in the face of hearing Stephen's testimony before the stoning, was approving of the stoning and launched out to imprison other professing Christians. It was only when He had a supernatural experience with the Lord Jesus, that he changed teams and what a powerful "switch" that was! I love to talk to my boys about the Apostle Paul; because of his 180 degree change. And, Jesus still does that today! Thank you, God!

I thought also about "the problem with the pharisees". There was Nicodemus, who tried to cross the party lines. The Scripture about trusting in their own righteousness was posted and that was a problem for the pharisees overall. And, the judgment is on the individual. But, I think another problem--that is also prevalent in today's denominations--is "group think". When people only surround themselves with what they already believe and aren't willing to have that challenged by other's opinions, they can be blinded if that which they are believing isn't in accordance with Truth. So, many, unafraid of crossing the ruling religious class and not wanting to be kicked out, supported what was being said--all the way to demanding Jesus be crucified. With all the divides, how many are still doing that today--while claiming to trust in Jesus' righteousness?


Many in this college class had been church goers all their lives. They were just as troubled to hear this as the so called “heathen”...not a good reflection on churches...so much bad teaching out there
 
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Blood Bought 1953

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Sure, none of us are good enough. Only by God's grace can we go to heaven. Thinking oneself good enough wouldn't necessarily damn one but it would be a delusion because it is grace and not works. Hmm, now I disagree with myself. My head is full of quarrel like an egg is full of meat :D

Jesus knew He was good enough for heaven but He is not just 'anyone' and He was also directly descended from the heavenly, spiritual platform so of course He knew that was and is His home. He could also have called on His father to send twelve legions of angels to help him here on earth because well...Jesus Christ isn't just anyone.



Who is Jesus? Your answer determines one’s eternal fate.
 
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Dave-W

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I thought also about "the problem with the pharisees". There was Nicodemus, who tried to cross the party lines.
The pharisees were not all the same. Those from Hillel's school were much more accepting of our Lord than those from Shammai's school.
 
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Dave-W

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Many in this college class had been church goers all their lives. They were just as troubled to hear this as the so called “heathen”...not a good reflection on churches...so much bad teaching out there
True. Heaven is not determined on how good you are (or are not); rather it is all on whether you have submitted yourself to God's will via the New Covenant.
 
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Phil 1:21

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To some who were confident of their own righteousness Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Thank you for posting this.
 
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Blood Bought 1953

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The pharisees were not all the same. Those from Hillel's school were much more accepting of our Lord than those from Shammai's school.

Some Pharisees became Believers after the resurrection
 
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