When my son does not get his way he melts down and cries and yells and accuses everyone else.

He is four years old, and he is growing out of it.

Am I?

Are you?

Self righteousness is a funny thing.  (not funny, “ha ha,” but funny, “hmmm”)

The idea that I am always right cripples me.  It leaves me on the defensive when the slightest doubt comes into view.  I accuse others simply to maintain my false righteousness (well, this doesn’t happen to me – but to others…).  

Self righteousness is the archenemy of humbleness.  John Maxwell said (and yes, this is a quote from memory, so I think I am probably getting it a little wrong) pride in ministry equals burnout in ministry, humbleness in ministry equals joy in ministry.  And yes, I do feel absent of joy when I exercise my self righteousness.

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

If I am going to swim in God’s love, I must dive in from my sin nature.  I am a sinner.  I sin.  I am captured by sin.  My sin rules me.  I invite my sin to sit at the head of the table.  

And still I wrestle my sin with my own righteousness.  The curse of the self righteous:  my righteousness has never won a fight with my sin.

Enter Jesus.  Oh, thank You for entering this fight, Jesus!

Choose ye this day:  Self righteousness or Christ’s righteousness.

Lord God, fight for me.  Amen.