Human nature instinctively hankers after self-salvation. The enemy of God and of our salvation is constantly trying to obscure the utter necessity of entire dependence on Christ. Lift up Jesus before the people. Strike the doorposts with the blood of Calvary's Lamb, and you are safe. But not only Americans but most people everywhere are tempted to believe they can earn salvation.
Every pagan religion is based on self-salvation.
The principle that man can save himself by his own works lays at the foundation of every heathen re1igion. . . . Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against sin. 2 Christ alone can save. Only those who have by faith accepted salvation through Christ's free grace will be found there. The danger of self-justification comes as easily to us as it did to the ancient Pharisees.