0393. The Character of Saul–As Touching the Law, Blameless

The Character of Saul–As Touching the Law, Blameless

"As touching the Law, a Pharisee;

"Touching the righteousness which is in the Law blameless" (Php_3:5-6).

The Pharisee’s boast was his righteousness, he made broad his phylacteries, and enlarged the borders of his garments. The elder son was a model Pharisee; he boasted a life that was filled with service, and spotless. The righteousness of Saul, however, was wholly of the flesh. He was righteous before men. Measuring himself by human standards, he was without reproach.

When Saul was saved, he fully realized the sinfulness of his heart. In fact he called himself a chief of sinners.

Nicodemus, like Saul of Tarsus, was a man righteous in worldly deeds, a Pharisee. Christ, however, said unto Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again." Human righteousness cannot stand, over against the righteousness of God. Jeremiah felt himself to be righteous, until he saw the vision of the glorified Lord; then he cried: "Woe is me." Peter too, must have felt himself a fairly righteous man, until he stood in the presence of Deity, then he cried: "I am a sinful man, oh, Lord."

It is still true that all have sinned; it is still true that there is none righteous, no, not one. All have come short of the glory of God. Those who are most boastful of their righteousness, must be born again.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR