D. James Kennedy, On Spiritual Poverty

“Spiritual poverty is a universal condition that no government can alleviate. Only Christ can cancel our spiritual debt. However, we cannot come to Him for assistance if we are proud of our own good works and confident that we have thus earned a ticked to eternity in heaven. Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee who thanked God that he was so much more righteous than other men whole besides him a tax collector beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ Jesus said that the tax collector ‘went down to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’ (Luke 18:14). If we do not see how completely we have missed God’s perfect standard of holiness, we also will fail to enjoy God’s eternal salvation. Only those who admit their own lack of righteousness can be made rich by Christ’s abundant grace. We must admit our complete need of a Savior before we will see in Jesus Christ the answer to our desperate need.” (The Real Messiah, pgs. 255-257)