In yesterday's blog I came down very hard on liberal Pharisees in our society. I did this because those on the left are the most oblivious to their own self-righteous tendencies. They are the first to quote the command of Jesus "judge not lest ye be judged" even as they are standing in judgment over the people to whom they are quoting the verse.
However, my ultimate goal is not to self-righteously complain that liberals are among the most self-righteous. Rather, it is my observation that self-righteousness is a trait of our entire human species. Whether we are on the right or the left or somewhere in between, we all tend towards the sin of self-righteousness by our very nature. We all desire to stand justified before God and men by the standards of our own goodness. Ironically, we want this even as we are unable to keep the laws that we ourselves force on others.
The Bible speaks to this tendency in humans. It says that all our righteousness, whether conservative or liberal, are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Anyone who believes that their own righteousness is sufficient is delusional. Our only hope is for a righteousness that comes from outside of ourselves - a righteousness that comes from God, not man.
Fortunately for all of us, such a righteousness is available.
However, my ultimate goal is not to self-righteously complain that liberals are among the most self-righteous. Rather, it is my observation that self-righteousness is a trait of our entire human species. Whether we are on the right or the left or somewhere in between, we all tend towards the sin of self-righteousness by our very nature. We all desire to stand justified before God and men by the standards of our own goodness. Ironically, we want this even as we are unable to keep the laws that we ourselves force on others.
The Bible speaks to this tendency in humans. It says that all our righteousness, whether conservative or liberal, are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Anyone who believes that their own righteousness is sufficient is delusional. Our only hope is for a righteousness that comes from outside of ourselves - a righteousness that comes from God, not man.
Fortunately for all of us, such a righteousness is available.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Rom 3:21-22 ESV)
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