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.
Luke 18:11
Jesus spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.
Self-righteousness blinds our eyes from our own mistakes and makes us to look down on others who fail in life, commit mistakes or don’t bear spiritual fruits like us.
Once In a prayer meeting, my companion fell asleep during message. I was upset and despised her. Just in few minutes I fell asleep. But in the spirit, I was awake. Then the Lord said unto me “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged”. I repented for not showing mercy on her weakness.
In Luke 13:2,3 Jesus asked, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish”. Luke 6:41 says “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?”
When we are self-righteous, we lack in showing gratitude towards God.
In Luke 7:36-47, A pharisee invited Jesus for a nice meal. A sinful woman heard about Jesus and came to that place. The Pharisee who was careful in keeping the law, despised the woman as she was a sinner. On the other hand, the sinful woman, convicted of her sins, washed Jesus’s feet with her tears, ceased not to kiss his feet and anointed Him with perfume. Jesus said in verse 47 “So I’m telling you that her sins, as many as they are, have been forgiven, and that’s why she has shown such great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.”
Man’s righteousness shown in works can boast before other Men, but not before God. Rom 4:2 In the presence of the Lord, “all our righteousness are as filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6. It is Jesus who forgives our sins and makes us righteous before God and not our deeds.
“The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” Rom 3:22.
“The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20
Amen!
Sol Sheeba Benjamin AOJ