Note 2 at Lu 11:42: By Jesus saying "and not to leave the other undone," it is made clear that Jesus was not arguing against doing what is right. God's Word stresses holiness in our actions. The Pharisees' error that Jesus rebuked was that they believed their actions could produce a right relationship with God. A proper relationship with God, however, can only come by humbling ourselves and putting faith in a Savior, who is Jesus. God cleanses our hearts by grace through faith (Eph 2:8), and then we have our fruit unto holiness (Ro 6:22). Holiness is a fruit--not a root--of salvation.

In a similar instance listed in Mt 23:26, Jesus told the Pharisees, "Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." True Christianity comes from the inside out. Good hearts will change people's actions (Pr 23:7 and Mt 12:34-35), but people's actions cannot change their hearts.

This is the heart of the Gospel. Every major religion of the world has moral standards they enforce, but only Christianity offers salvation through a Savior. Presenting holiness in any other light than as a result of salvation is denying Jesus as our Savior and places the burden of salvation on us. Improper emphasis on us trying to achieve holiness or salvation through our own actions can damn us.