Beware of Self-Righteousness [Bible Teaching]

(two men went to pray)

We live in a time in Christian history when people think their good deeds make them right before God. Unbelieving people have a false gospel they have swallowed that if they go to church, pay offerings and tithes, attend church conferences, then they have entered the kingdom of God. On the flip side, the believer feels a sense of pride because he does better deeds than his brother or sister because he is always at church ‘doing something big for God’. Without situating our good deeds in the context of grace, we shall appear like the Pharisees full of self-righteousness.

Let’s explore Luke 18:9‭-‬14 (NKJV) to get right with God;

“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man 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.””

Note that both men appeared religious. They went to the temple to pray. Oh, how hell will be filled with religious men and women. On the surface you might think they are righteous but they are not.

THE PHARISEE

The Pharisee came praying to himself because he had no connection with God. Furthermore, he boasted about his deeds. He said: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ Realize that everything was about himself. I, I and I. Everything was about comparing himself with others. His measure of righteousness was not God but others. Paul said comparing yourself one to another, we become unwise. Everything he boasted about amounted to nothing but filthy rags as Isaiah said and re-echoed by Paul in Philippians 3:1-11. He went home unjustified. The world is full of self-righteous people heading for eternal destruction.

THE TAX COLLECTOR

The tax collector on the other hand had nothing to boast about. He came to God knowing that He is not worthy. He came humble and poor in spirit. He came with a contrite heart. All he could say was: ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ The sinner is dead and thus needs only the grace of God. Ephesians 2 states that we were dead in our trespasses but the grace of God saved us. Paul said Christ came to save sinners of which he is chief. We are nothing but sinners who desperately need the grace of God. Each one of us must cry: GOD HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER! You will surely go home justified. We are not saved by our deeds but we are saved by grace unto good deeds.

WHO ARE YOU?

Jesus’ target was the self-righteous Pharisees. “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” (v. 18) If you are full of yourself without the need of the grace of God, you are deep in self-righteous living heading to hell. We must jettison our self-righteousness and embrace a heart that pants after the mercy of God for His mercy is new every morning.

Self-righteousness must be discarded. If we will please God and enter His court to fellowship with Him, we must come poor in spirit. We must possess a contrite heart. We must be converted as little children to gain the Father’s kingdom. Just as Paul regarded his self-righteous deeds as dung, so must we. In Christ, we boast of His righteousness that comes from hearing the gospel (Romans 1:16-17).

Praise be to God!

#MakingDisciples