Post by Anonymous

Do you have a problem with self-righteous people?  Most people do, including Jesus.  Now perhaps you are a self righteous person, many of us are in some way.  Either we make a big deal about being a generous and good person or we just stand around being the righteous police, telling people when they make mistakes.  Either way, we're wrong and Jesus wants us to change.

If we find ourselves in the first group (those who like to proclaim their goodness to everyone) Matthew 6 hits hard.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. -Matthew 6:1-4

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” -Luke 18

Think about the people in your life who have done so much for you and never held it above your head.  Your mom might come to your mind, or perhaps another relative, a pastor, or just a good friend.  How much do you appreciate them?  How much ought you appreciate them?  Mother Teresa is a fantastic example.  She gave everything, yet did not feel as though it was necessary to tell everyone back home how much greater she was than they.  Jesus wants us to be the same way, and I'll be the first to admit that is not an easy task.

Let's take a look at the second group.  The "judgers".  You know them, they are always telling people that they are going to Hell for this or for that.  Christ was made all kinds of judgements, but He was different.  Why?  First of all, He is God.  We are just humans, and as such, do not have authority to judge those outside the church.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." -Matthew 7:1-2

Judgmental Self-righteousness is a waste of time, effort and breath.  Most importantly, it often damages relationships.  Don't think I am saying sin is okay, it's not, but there are correct and incorrect ways of responding to sin.  The world needs to be saved, not judged (that job belongs to God).  I am reminded of Randy Alcorn's "Grace and Truth Paradox" book in which he reminds us, "that Jesus, who had a reputation for investing time with sinners, would preach five sermons against self-righteous churches for every one against taverns."

The point is simple.  Even as Christians we're not perfect, so don't pretend you are, and don't try to do God's job by judging the world around you.  Do good things because it's right.  Don't make a big deal out of it (be anonymous).  Don't attack those who sin with hate, but lovingly advise them of the truth (God's judgement) tempered with grace (salvation).

There is a ton of bad stuff out there, and a reaction of love will accomplish a great deal more than hate.