Self-righteousness is not true righteousness, and those who cling to it will be left to take the consequences of holding a fatal deception. Many today claim to obey the commandments of God, but they have not the love of God in their hearts to flow forth to others. Christ calls them to unite with Him in His work for the saving of the world, but they content themselves with saying, "I go, sir." They do not go. They do not co-operate with those who are doing God's service. They are idlers. Like the unfaithful son, they make false promises to God. In taking upon themselves the solemn covenant of the church they have pledged themselves to receive and obey the word of God, to give themselves to God's service, but they do not do this. In profession they claim to be sons of God, but in life and character they deny the relationship. They do not surrender the will to God. They are living a lie.

Egenretfærdighed er ikke sand retfærdighed, og de, der holder fast ved den, vil blive overladt til at tage følgerne af et skæbnesvangert bedrag. Der er mange i dag, der hævder at adlyde Guds bud, men de ejer ikke Guds kærlighed i hjertet, som kan tilflyde andre. Kristus kalder dem til at forene sig med ham i arbejdet for at frelse verden, men de nøjes med at sige: "Ja, herre." De går ikke. De samarbejder ikke med dem, der arbejder for Gud. De står ledige. Ligesom den utro søn giver de Gud falske løfter Idet de selv har indgået en højtidelig pagt med menigheden, har de lovet at ville lyde Guds ord og hengive sig i tjeneste for ham, men de gør det ikke. De bekender at de er Guds sønner men i deres liv og karakter benægter de slægtskabet. De overgiver ikke deres vilje til Gud. Deres liv er en løgn.