The Pharisee within Us

The Pharisee within Us

We heard an excellent sermon last night on the Pharisee and the Publican from the Rev Paul Gibson of Perth.  I read this later in the evening from John Brown’s outstanding commentary on Galatians. It speaks of the continuing temptation to Phariseeism, even in the evangelical church.

Galatians 3:21, 22

“For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

The statement contained in these words has lost none of its truth or of its importance in the lapse of ages, and is just as closely connected with our duties and interests as with those of the Galatians to whom it was originally made. We are indeed in no danger of reposing our hope of an interest in the Divine favour on our enjoyment of the privileges, or our performing the ritual observances, of the Mosaic economy. But we all are in imminent danger of building our expectations of final happiness on a foundation equally insecure.

Are there not thousands and tens of thousands among us who are flattering themselves that they are Christians, merely because they were born in a Christian land and baptised in the name of Jesus? Are there not countless multitudes who, without any reference whatever to the Saviour's atonement, on the ground of their comparative innocence or excellence, or of their repentance and reformation, or of their alms and their prayers, are expecting to obtain a share in the felicities of heaven? And are there not countless multitudes more who, while they profess to depend on what the Saviour has done and suffered, look on his merits merely as an ample store out of which is to be supplied the deficiency in their own deserts — relying a little on the Saviour, but principally on themselves? 

Indeed, are not by far the greater part of those who name the name of Jesus obviously ignorant and unbelieving respecting the very elementary principle of his religion, that “eternal life is the gift of God," and that men are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"? Are not the great majority even of those who appear to be religious, going about to establish their own method of justification, and obstinately refusing to submit to this Divine method of justification. They will do anything and everything rather than credit God's testimony concerning his Son, rely entirely on his finished work, and humbly and heartily accept of a full and free salvation.

To such persons we proclaim with the apostle, “If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law," But no such law has been given. No such law could be given. You may indeed imagine remedial and reduced laws, and you may depend on your obedience to these laws, and cherish lively hopes of thus obtaining the Divine favour and everlasting happiness. But remember, God will acknowledge no law as his but that which He himself has promulgated, and He will gratify no hopes but those which He himself has awakened.