Our Scripture reading today is Luke 10:29, "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"
As I read through this passage and in particular this one verse, I could not get past the phrase, "Willing to justify himself..." It appears this lawyer actually thought he already loved the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and strength. Due to our flesh, I am not sure this is possible even in the life of the believer. He completely ignored that part and went directly to try and find out who really was his neighbour. This lawyer was confident in self instead of the Saviour.
Where are you placing your confidence when you die? Every week so many people pass away into eternity. Sometimes their deaths are referred to as "expected", but often they are referred to as, "sudden." Whether it be sudden or expected, we all have an appointment with death. Once that appointment is fulfilled, the other thing that will matter is did we receive justification from the Lord Jesus. It is impossible for sinful mankind to justify himself. Justification comes through the death, burial and resurrection of God's Son, Jesus Christ. We can receive it by faith. If you have yet to receive God's gift of justification, please turn to Him today. If you know of someone who is not yet justified, please share this message with them. Galatians 3:8, "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed."