Self-Righteousness and Grace (12.11.2005)

This week, we continue our look at self-righteousness as an obstacle to compassion.

When people see themselves as basically good, then they believe the power for love and for change can come from within. Much of our culture tends to support this view. Today on Amazon.com:

• A search for “self-help” produced 8,738 results.
• Under the "self-esteen" category there are 2,064 items.
• The second best-selling item under "self-esteem" is Sylvia Browne's Lessons for Life. Here are a few excerpts from the reviews:
  
  "In this slim, friendly book, renowned psychic Browne offers an eight-step program that she says will set readers working toward the perfection of their souls and will bring them joy, fulfillment and renewed spirituality . . . . There are frequent references to God and occasional references to Biblical passages, but Browne is more concerned with helping readers find their own spirituality, unlock memories from their past lives, become more psychic, maintain good relationships and keep themselves "in a state of wellness" than she is in preaching scripture . . . . Vegetarians may make take issue with Browne’s declaration that "when you cut a plant, it screams," but overall hers is a useful, Christian introduction to living life better."

TWO PRAYERS, TWO PERSPECTIVES
Read Luke 18:9-14 – the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

How does the Pharisee’s attitude reflect our modern culture?

• He relies on his checklist of good deeds
• He spends more time praising himself than praising God
• He does not have any deep "heart" needs -- considers himself a good person

What is Jesus really concerned about here?

• He is really concerned about the state of their hearts -- not their sins

Grace: God's energy coming into my emptiness, offering forgiveness, cleansing and hope.
Self-Esteem: My energy helping me to feel good about myself.

TABLE TALK: How does seeing yourself (or another person) as a sinner actually confer dignity on you (or the other person)?

• Seeing somebody as a sinner acknowledges that they have strayed from what they could be.
• To not see somebody as a sinner is to imply that their bad behavior is inherently a part of who they are and that there is no possibility for them to change.
• Recognizing somebody -- or ourselves -- as as a sinner is to acknowledge that we are each created in God's perfect image.

THE LOST SON – THE REST OF THE STORY
Read Luke 15:25-32

What is Jesus condemning? Pride
What is Jesus commending? Brokenness

The older brother and the Pharisee – how do their views of themselves prevent them from loving?

• They see themselves as "better" than others -- holding others up against their own standards of what is right and wrong.
• They see faults in other people, so they don't believe others deserve their kindness.
• They do not want to show kindness or love toward others since they may be seen as rewarding the others' sins.
• They don't see their need for grace, so they don't see the need in others, too.

What is the point of the parable of the Lost Son?

• Real change occurs when we realize that we are sinners in need of grace.
• Real change begins with humility.

AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND (WHEN WE LISTEN)
Why is it hard for us to admit that we need grace?

• We have to admit that we cannot do it all on our own.
• We have to admit that we are not good enough on our own.
• We have to be vulnerable.

PRAYING GOD'S WORD
Use the following passages to pray God’s Word back to Him, either on your own or with others:

• Lord, teach me to not think of myself more highly than I ought, but rather to think of myself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith You’ve given me. (Romans 12:3)
• Like everyone else, I have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. But Father, I know that I am justified freely by Your grace through the redemption that came by your Son, Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:23-24)

BEING THE REAL DEAL
Here are some ways to apply this message from God’s Word:

1. Prayerfully ask God for His grace in areas of your life where you need it – and then accept it and walk in it! If you are not aware of any areas where His grace is needed, ask Him to show you the areas where you need it.