Self Righteousness (unawares)

Self Righteousness (unawares)

      Self-righteousness is one of the elements of becoming carnal unawares. Many, unknowingly, slip into this mode, many with good intentions but nonetheless, it is us and not God. We sometimes project what we think is holy and acceptable and “demand” that this be adhered to, especially by other brothers and sisters. This is establishing our own righteousness, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:32). The righteousness of God was imputed to us through Jesus Christ, for “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags…” (Isaih 64:6). When one comes to Christ and receives Him (The Spirit of God), he then puts on the righteousness of Christ, whereas God does not see us as we are, but sees us through the righteousness of Christ for it is written “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2Corinthians 5:21). “For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (Christ) shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:21). No one’s “righteousness” is to be judged by anyone’s opinion. Being in Christ, we grow spiritually at different rates, that is, discernment, maturity and conviction comes as God deals with the individual. We must not judge a brother or sister or hold them to a standard that the Lord has not dealt with them on yet, for “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand” (Romlans 14:4). We give them the truth as the scriptures say for beyond this we are establishing our own righteousness. “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus, that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7).