Address Any Self-Righteous Attitudes
Address Any Self-Righteous Attitudes | August 9th
I heard about a man who was to attend a convention for work in a different state that required travel. After flying and renting a car, he headed to the convention center where the event was held. Known for having a heavy foot himself, another driver sped by his vehicle, prompting him to call the police.
He called and said, "Right now, I've witnessed a car speeding well over 120 mph. The license plate no. is……” The cop at the desk who was responding to the call thanked the man for reporting the speeding motorist. At the end of the conversation, the cop asks the man for his license plate number. He's a little surprised. Confused, he said, "Why do you need my license plate number? I just called to report this speeding car." The cops reply, "Well, if he's doing 120, then you must not be far behind in your speed if you can see his license plate!"
See, that's precisely what self-righteousness does to us. It gives the sense that you're seeing something wrong in someone else while ignoring your own issues.
This was the case of the religious leaders, particularly the scribes and Pharisees. Scribes were considered lawyers and experts of the Law. The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism during the time of Christ and the early church.
Together they held an elevated view of themselves while looking down on others. Perhaps it was their 600-plus man-made commandments that eventually supplanted their commitment to the Ten Commandments or their selective application of the entire Law of Moses. Either way, their self-righteousness blinded them concerning their need for Jesus' gift of salvation.
By definition, you can understand righteousness to be a position of being declared "justified." Therefore, we need a righteousness that far exceeds the self-righteous approach of the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 5:20 tells us, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."
The righteousness that God approves of comes from His Son Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, we have a righteousness that will one day result in eternal life.
Knowing this, treat others right by being humble about your shortcomings and seek almighty God's righteousness above all.
I heard about a man who was to attend a convention for work in a different state that required travel. After flying and renting a car, he headed to the convention center where the event was held. Known for having a heavy foot himself, another driver sped by his vehicle, prompting him to call the police.
He called and said, "Right now, I've witnessed a car speeding well over 120 mph. The license plate no. is……” The cop at the desk who was responding to the call thanked the man for reporting the speeding motorist. At the end of the conversation, the cop asks the man for his license plate number. He's a little surprised. Confused, he said, "Why do you need my license plate number? I just called to report this speeding car." The cops reply, "Well, if he's doing 120, then you must not be far behind in your speed if you can see his license plate!"
See, that's precisely what self-righteousness does to us. It gives the sense that you're seeing something wrong in someone else while ignoring your own issues.
This was the case of the religious leaders, particularly the scribes and Pharisees. Scribes were considered lawyers and experts of the Law. The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism during the time of Christ and the early church.
Together they held an elevated view of themselves while looking down on others. Perhaps it was their 600-plus man-made commandments that eventually supplanted their commitment to the Ten Commandments or their selective application of the entire Law of Moses. Either way, their self-righteousness blinded them concerning their need for Jesus' gift of salvation.
By definition, you can understand righteousness to be a position of being declared "justified." Therefore, we need a righteousness that far exceeds the self-righteous approach of the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 5:20 tells us, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."
The righteousness that God approves of comes from His Son Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, we have a righteousness that will one day result in eternal life.
Knowing this, treat others right by being humble about your shortcomings and seek almighty God's righteousness above all.
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