Self Righteousness
We're all guilty of it. Most times, the degree in which we manifest it only varies.
An unsubmissive wife feels she's better than her unloving husband. God understands.
An unloving husband feels he's better than his unsubmissive wife. God understands.
The pulpit minister feels he's more into God and the ministry than the marketplace minister.
The marketplace minister considers himself more honourable than the pulpit minister.
She that wears trousers or uses jewelries feels she's a more enlightened Christian. She that does not considers herself more spiritual.
"Well, I'm not saying I'm perfect, but some people are just impossible..." we would say. We're not perfect but would sit in judgement over another who isn't, too... Because our imperfection is of a different kind, we feel justified and fit to be the judge of another...
We're so quick to talk about what that pastor said, what that leader did, what that politician said, and what that professional did.
Some of us even use others as the topics for our 'ministrations' as we invite those in our 'party' to join us on our Facebook walls, as we begin to dissect what other people's actions or inactions mean and connote...
In the process, we spread our goods (we're so amazing) and expose their bads (they're so terrible)...
And we are Christians – Christlike people.
Yes, even 'ministers'.
Have we ever considered how God feels when His children – the children dear to His heart – tear themselves apart like that? Have we, for once, paused to sense His grief? Can we not put ourselves in His shoes as we consider how a parent feels when siblings are at one another's throat? And if we truly have a relationship with Him, and that relationship is working and alive, have we ever thought about the grief we bring to His heart when we tear another of His kids apart?
And most times, we do it publicly – in the watching eyes of those who don't honour Him. We may appear good in their sight, but how does our Father feel when we're done? Grief. Grief. Grief.
It doesn't make Him love us more and make Him love those imperfect others less.
Next time you're tempted to discuss someone or what they did or said with another or others, ask yourself, "What is my motivation?"
"Why am I raising this topic?"
"What do I want to achieve?"
Jesus said,
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35.
If you are His disciple, your priority should be men knowing you are His disciple and loving other kids of His is a proof of that. It doesn't matter if they fit your idea of 'perfection' or not. Just as you're not 'perfect' and not killing yourself over it, they're not 'perfect' too and you've got no right to kill them over it.
Besides, who defines 'rightness' for another? By whose standard do you measure it? Who gave who the marking scheme?
Even if you have covered 95% of the journey (in your estimation) and others, only 45% (still in your estimation), God's love covers all. His righteousness is a leveler and a gift to all.
Before Jesus' death, we were all the same. After His death, Salvation in His name has levelled all.
If there's anything the Lord wants you to address, let Him lead you to address it, so talk to Him first.
As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Let Him lead you.
And let Love be your motivation – Love for God, Love for your fellow men.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
That's more important to your Father, than discussing what you consider the shortcomings of another.
Be blessed.
Shalom.
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