Pharisees and Righteousness

Honesty is one trait that Christ requires for us to be saved. We will sin but we should be honest when we do. The Pharisees however argued against the truth Christ was teaching and publicly defended against Christ by creating arguments that were deceptive.

The Catholics are very similar in that they defend many of their doctrines with deception. Acknowledgement of the truth is required for salvation.

Mat 5:19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Breaking a commandment isn't the same as breaking and teaching. A person can sin but acknowledge he was sinful, vs someone who sins but defends what they do. The Catholics continuing to defend false doctrines and sinful practices, it just means their honesty is equal with the Pharisees, and cannot exceed their honesty.

Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Many of their doctrines have been proven false over the centuries. Yet they continue to defend them.

Having the honesty to admit wrong is necessary for salvation. If we are walking in darkness, we don't have fellowship. Darkness keeps them from practicing truth. Such as infant baptism.

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Defending error simply keeps them from receiving forgiveness.

Paul talked about confessing truth in the back drop of sin. He said he sinned but mentally confessed truth.

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Defending sin is the opposite of what Paul taught. Sin may always be present with us, even when we understand it to be wrong. But mentally defending our error is worse and eventually leads to rejection by Christ.

People will need to come out of Catholic dogma to be saved.