The Pitfall of Self-Righteousness
Matthew 26 (English Standard Version)
30) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31) Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32) But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33) Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34) Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35) Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
In one ear, out the other. I find it interesting that they had been with Jesus long enough to know that everything He said would take place, would take place. They all said ” Listen Jesus, I know you’re the Son of God, but we think we know better in this case! There’s just no way we are going to betray you!” Of course, if you read on, you see that the disciples scattered like sand on the beach, and Peter, the one who so boldy proclaimed his loyalty, denied Him three times.
I find it funny how we find so many ways to fool ourselves into believing how righteous we are.
” I go to church”.
” I tithe.”
” I don’t drink”.
” I don’t smoke”.
” I don’t do what that person does”.
” I would never say that!”.
Those are some of the more common statements I have heard, and used at one point or another. There are millions more I’m sure. If you don’t do these things or do the things you are supposed to do, that is great. The pitfall we get into is when we think that what we do or don’t do determines if we are in right standing with God or not. We can do the right things and our hearts can be far from Him. We can do the wrong things and be closer to God than those who are doing the right things. The determining factor is the attitude of our heart. Check this out:
Luke 18
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10) “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11) The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
My church background taught me that I was righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross, but not so much that I was a sinner in need of a savior. I think it is folly to teach others about how “we have become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21), before we grasp the corruptable, fallible, lost, utterly wicked state that we are in, without His mercy and grace! How can we understand and appreciate what He has done for us, or the mercy He has bestowed, until we truly understand what He has done for us? This righteousness is not from our right actions, but the indescribable, unfathomable love He has shown us!
Let us ever be on our guard from thinking that we are all that and a bag of chips. Be aware that there is no good in you but His righteousness moving in and through your life. Even the apostle Paul said this:
Romans 3:9-13
9) What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10) as it is written:
11no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
”The venom of asps is under their lips.”
Galatians 2:20
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Let us remember from where He has brought us, so we may remain humble in His sight and not fall into the trap that we did something to deserve His love and salvation. Let us operate from a stance of humility, so we don’t fall into pride and self-exhaltation.
Kevin
