The Pharisee looked to the heavens and thanked God that he wasn't as other men. We find this parable in Luke 18:9-14. What lesson is the Master trying to teach us? I ponder as Christ walked upon the earth, could there have been one sin that could have aggravated him worse than others? Possibly self-righteousness? He teaches us through this parable that true righteousness comes from within, meaning our relationship with God, not what we want people to observe us doing. We shouldn't have to tell God just how good we are, I am sure that He is well aware of our deeds, both good and bad and great and small. The publican in this account didn't even feel worthy to address God; he instead could only utter the words "God forgive me a sinner", and we find that Christ said this man went home justified.
Many today still struggle with this same issue. A person can develop an attitude believing they are so great in their works or abilities that God will have to allow them entrance into the Kingdom. One can become so infatuated with themselves they actually loose sight of their own flaws. People have the ability to become perfect in their own eyes, yet, they have drifted far from God. Once they have entered this state of mind they cannot see their own imperfectness. All of a sudden they are greater than anyone else in the faith. They struggle applying the lesson from Christ about removing the beam from our eye and not worrying about the splinter in our brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
What are some symptoms of self-righteousness? The answer is actually too large for this article, however, we will list some that are common. How about loving oneself and despising your brothers in the faith? Remember the Pharisee and publican? The Pharisee thought he was so righteous that he was better than other men. Christ taught us to love each other as he loved us. (John 15:12) That is a deep love my friends and we are commanded to have that same love for our brothers and sisters of the faith.
What about serving God and money? Christ said in Luke 16:13 that we cannot serve God and mammon. The Christian walk is not about making money, but an eternal inheritance. A person cannot take from others deceivingly and justify it by God's word. Our only master is God, not the material things of this world.
How about being jealous of fellow Church members? Should Christians be envious of leadership positions? Should they desire the best speaking engagements and the best seats in the auditorium? Should one make fun of or place themselves above another due to their speaking ability? It isn't too difficult to answer these questions. We find some of the answers in the book of James.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
If we can develop the trait of love, we wouldn't have to worry about self-righteousness. Think about it; if one loves their fellow Church member, or anyone for that matter, they wouldn't make fun of them, steal from them, nor would they lie against or about others, they wouldn't misrepresent people to others, they wouldn't cause confusion and discord in the church, they wouldn't be jealous or envious of their brethren and the list can go on and on.
As a person who once walked in the shoes of self-righteousness, let me offer a something to ponder. Once I realized who I had become and I could see clearly the man in the mirror, I sought the help of God through the scriptures. What I found was to love each other, respect each other and put others first and self last. A trunk of the tree teaching that assisted me and can assist others as well is developing the fruit of God's Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-26.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Developing these traits will help keep each of us on the right path. I have learned that while upon this journey, if I can apply these attributes to my life, even though I still fail at times, I can find true happiness in the faith.
A couple of years ago at the Feast of Tabernacles I presented a sermon on love. I was at a point in my life where I had to make a decision to go forward. Several factors from that year prompted this sermon and I hope you enjoy it. I have uploaded an audio file of that sermon.
God bless you all,
Chris Anderson
Many today still struggle with this same issue. A person can develop an attitude believing they are so great in their works or abilities that God will have to allow them entrance into the Kingdom. One can become so infatuated with themselves they actually loose sight of their own flaws. People have the ability to become perfect in their own eyes, yet, they have drifted far from God. Once they have entered this state of mind they cannot see their own imperfectness. All of a sudden they are greater than anyone else in the faith. They struggle applying the lesson from Christ about removing the beam from our eye and not worrying about the splinter in our brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
What are some symptoms of self-righteousness? The answer is actually too large for this article, however, we will list some that are common. How about loving oneself and despising your brothers in the faith? Remember the Pharisee and publican? The Pharisee thought he was so righteous that he was better than other men. Christ taught us to love each other as he loved us. (John 15:12) That is a deep love my friends and we are commanded to have that same love for our brothers and sisters of the faith.
What about serving God and money? Christ said in Luke 16:13 that we cannot serve God and mammon. The Christian walk is not about making money, but an eternal inheritance. A person cannot take from others deceivingly and justify it by God's word. Our only master is God, not the material things of this world.
How about being jealous of fellow Church members? Should Christians be envious of leadership positions? Should they desire the best speaking engagements and the best seats in the auditorium? Should one make fun of or place themselves above another due to their speaking ability? It isn't too difficult to answer these questions. We find some of the answers in the book of James.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
If we can develop the trait of love, we wouldn't have to worry about self-righteousness. Think about it; if one loves their fellow Church member, or anyone for that matter, they wouldn't make fun of them, steal from them, nor would they lie against or about others, they wouldn't misrepresent people to others, they wouldn't cause confusion and discord in the church, they wouldn't be jealous or envious of their brethren and the list can go on and on.
As a person who once walked in the shoes of self-righteousness, let me offer a something to ponder. Once I realized who I had become and I could see clearly the man in the mirror, I sought the help of God through the scriptures. What I found was to love each other, respect each other and put others first and self last. A trunk of the tree teaching that assisted me and can assist others as well is developing the fruit of God's Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-26.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Developing these traits will help keep each of us on the right path. I have learned that while upon this journey, if I can apply these attributes to my life, even though I still fail at times, I can find true happiness in the faith.
A couple of years ago at the Feast of Tabernacles I presented a sermon on love. I was at a point in my life where I had to make a decision to go forward. Several factors from that year prompted this sermon and I hope you enjoy it. I have uploaded an audio file of that sermon.
God bless you all,
Chris Anderson