Self Righteous
Let us consider the Lord’s teachings in Luke 18:9-14, “And he spake
this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were
righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to
pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood
and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other
men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I
fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the
publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he
that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Jesus is addressing the
problem of self righteousness. A man or woman in this condition trusts
in themselves, not in God, for being right in his sight. The attitude is
also manifest of despising and looking down on others. But folks are
only fooling themselves with this attitude of heart. We can be religious,
and do all sorts of even good things, but such will not pay back and
make up for our sins. No, it takes the humble, broken and contrite spirit
before God, to be pleasing unto him; as the penitent publican
manifested! Yes, the self exalted will be brought low; but the humble
will be exalted, by the justification from the Lord.
