Self-righteousness

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism he said to them "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you God is able to raise up children for Abraham form these stones! Even now the axe is ready to strike at the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 3:7-10

The  above were the words of John the Baptist. He was a true prophet. What was the problem? The Pharisees and Sadducees were wanting to perform an outward ritual so that they would appear to be in on what John was doing. They had no intention of repenting, they though they were above that.

Anything that makes us believe we are above reproach is dangerous because it blinds us to our true condition. There is none good but God alone.

When I was unsaved and operating as a catholic I was blinded to my true state. I had believed that being a catholic was all I needed. It took the Lord revealing all my sin for me to be ready and willing to repent.

Belonging to any group or faith is not sufficient for 'all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.' Romans 3:23

The gift of repentance is one of the most precious gifts my Lord gives me. Repentance cleanses me, keeps me humble, makes me whole.

Self-righteousness stinks and is like an unwashed mouth, it repels.

Self-righteousness incurs a judgement, I risk being thrown into the fire if I maintain my arrogance and blindness. My God has laid the axe to the root of self-righteousness. I cannot puff and strut like a peacock for I have no reason.

Belonging to a country, a race, a religion are all not a good enough reason to remain unrepentant. I pray that I will always know truth and remain soft to it so that I can again and again be cleansed and made whole. Amen!