Error of Self-Righteousness

Posted on Sept. 4, 2024, 9:54 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode

Self-righteousness is when one is confident in one’s own righteousness. An attempt to get right with God on one’s ability. Self-righteousness leads to self-exaltation. And the scripture says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke.18:14b). Peter was so confident that he felt he could die for Jesus by his own effort. Jesus said to all His disciples (including Peter) that they will be made to stumble because of Him that night, for it is written. Peter depending on his self-exaltation, responded and said even if he has to die with Christ, he will not deny Christ. (Matt.26:31, 35) We all knew how the story ended. Peter was humbled as he denied Jesus three times before the cock crows. Same way many of us Christians fall into the error of self-righteousness unknowingly. We count paying our tithes regularly, giving fat offering or expressing generosity by giving to the poor and the needy as being righteous. That is not a true narration, going by the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector as explained by our Lord Jesus Christ. “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” (Luke. 18:11-12) But the tax collector who deeply feels his guilt “saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke.18:13) The scripture says, the tax collector went home justified. (Luke.18:14) How often do we Christians see our self as better than others in the Church because of those practices which are from the law? Though good for our own benefit, but does not make us to be righteous in the sight of God or has anything to do with making heaven. It is the righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ known as “Imputed Righteousness” that makes believer righteous. Man’s righteousness is like filthy rags. (Isaiah.64:6a) Apostle Paul explained this more as follows, “And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Phil.3:9) He says further “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor.5:21) It clearly shows that man righteousness is dependent on faith in Christ. The ways to overcome self-righteousness is to go the way of Peter. He admitted that he was wrong to have boasted and also denied Jesus. He wept bitterly to express his repentance. (Matt.26:75) and he became one of the strongest witnesses of the Gospel. Let us admit our error and recognize the fact that we are not perfect and we can’t be. But we should strive to practice righteousness. Jesus Christ is the only one that is perfect. We should not judge others on our own standard as the Pharisee did. More importantly we should completely rely on Jesus’ imputed righteousness and not our own. We are “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom.3:24) Evangelism All men need Jesus Christ’s righteousness in the sight of God. Therefore, every soul need Jesus. Tell someone today about the truth. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre