Matthew 23:19
19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
-There are many who believe that showing the Lord good works will earn our way into Heaven. Others believe that once saved, presenting righteous deeds is the key to maintaining Godliness. This verse of scripture should lay both of those misconceptions to rest. Simply put, we are so vile and so wretched that even our gifts have to be cleansed before they are acceptable to God. We don’t justify God’s salvation by doing good things, God’s salvation justifies us. We don’t sanctify God with well-doing, God’s sanctification makes our doings well. Even our best gifts on their own are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6); but once you add in Jesus’ blood, then you have something well-pleasing to the Father.
