It’s interesting that Jesus had more difficulty with the religious leaders than anyone else.  From outward appearances the scribes and Pharisees appeared to have it all together.  Their religious performance however, became a source of pride and they looked down on others.  Jesus told a story about  those who trust in their own righteousness and view others with contempt,

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’   But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’  I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Luke 18:10-14)

The Pharisees didn’t realize that they were sinners just as much as the tax collectors and that they too were in need of a Savior.  Unfortunately, Christians at times can wear their righteousness as a badge of honor and look down on others.  The Apostle Paul takes the church at Rome to task for this type of attitude,

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  (Romans 2:1)

Notice the intensity of Paul’s statement, you have no excuse.  This truth applies to us as well.  We must realize that our righteousness comes from God on the basis of faith.  What is your attitude to those who are different than you?  Do you look down on others because their level of spirituality is not where you perceive it should be?  We need to realize that our righteousness before God is not based upon our performance but it is through faith in Christ.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;  (Romans 3:21-24)

What a great comfort it is to realize that our righteousness comes from God – not from ourselves.  I recently participated in a 5K/10K charity race through wooded trails at Laurel Hill Plantation.  I saw a fellow runner this past week and asked her how she liked the race.  She had registered for the 5K race but took a wrong turn and ran the 10K race – it was not as enjoyable had she had hoped since she ran farther than she had anticipated.  In the same way, we must not gain righteousness on our own but follow the righteousness as marked out for us by Christ.  Righteousness is not about your performance but it’s about what Jesus has already done on your behalf.  Be encouraged that your righteousness is based on Christ’s finished work and not your keeping of the Law.

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.  (Romans 3:28)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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