보라! 내가 새일을 행하리니

Living a life led by the Spirit versus living according to the desires of the flesh distinctly marks the difference between believers and non-believers. Even those who profess faith in Jesus but continue to live self-centered lives, neglecting to consider God's will and His kingdom, may not engage in the overt sins listed in Galatians 5:19 and beyond. However, they may fall into the more subtle and insidious trap of accumulating "self-righteousness," which stands in stark contrast to true "self-denial," potentially leading them to the same fate as King Saul or Priest Eli, who were ultimately rejected by God.

Those who follow the desires of the flesh might still manage to present themselves as outwardly righteous, similar to the religious leaders during Jesus' time. However, beneath this facade, they are actually pursuing their own vain glory, making them akin to "a brood of vipers" and "whitewashed tombs." To ensure that humanity does not fall into the trap of self-righteousness, God allowed figures like John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, and Peter to endure martyrdom, stripping away any human pride or boasting, so that His glory alone would be fully revealed.

The gravest and most dangerous sins are not necessarily those involving visible acts of the flesh but rather the hidden sins of self-righteousness and the pursuit of personal glory. This was exemplified by the religious leaders of Jesus' time, who mistakenly believed they were living faithfully. Jesus, in His compassion, openly dined with tax collectors and prostitutes, exposing that the self-righteous religious leaders were, in truth, more deeply stained by sin than those they looked down upon. In doing so, He revealed that true righteousness is not found in outward appearances or self-glorification but in humility and the grace of God.