By Chalcedony Williams
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man that he goes around forgiving sins?”
Luke 7:47-49 NLT
One of the biggest diseases infecting the church of God is self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is deceptive and divisive. Self-righteousness says things like, “At least I’m not a sinner like her,” or “I cannot believe he would turn up here after all he has done”. Self-righteousness not only convinces us that we ourselves are pretty good at being good, but it thrives off judging and condemning others and making us hyper-aware of their sin. We think we see when, in fact, we are blind. We think we know Jesus when, in fact, we have missed Him entirely.
But what is the alternative? As God’s people, we are called to be righteous; we are called to be holy. The Pharisees knew they were God’s people, and, as far as the Law was concerned, they thought they were faultless. But their perception was not the reality. They spent all of their time looking down on, criticising and avoiding people they believed to be sinners – treating them like they were dirty or diseased. This is how they treated the woman who crashed their party to anoint Jesus’ feet. And because Jesus chose to associate with people like her, this is how they treated Him. They invited Him to a meal but neglected to show Him any kindness or hospitality. Yet the sinful woman was extravagant in her love and care for Jesus.
Jesus saw this as an opportunity to teach the Pharisees something: those who recognise the gravity of their sin, recognise the greatness of the One who forgives their sin. If you are self-righteous, you see only your own greatness and have no need for a Saviour. But if you see yourself as you really are: a human being born in sin and falling short of God’s perfection every single day of your life, then you recognise you have no choice but to fall at the feet of Jesus. Jesus is the One who sees us as we are – everything about us – the real dirt. Yet, Jesus is the One who will not turn away anyone who knows how much they need His love and forgiveness.
God sent His Son into the world not to condemn but to save all who will believe in Him. True righteousness is turning to Jesus in faith, falling at His feet and worshipping Him, and loving Him back with all we have because He loved us first. Our love for God fuels our obedience, and we are only made righteous and holy by His Spirit.
The scandal of the Kingdom is this: it is full of people who were sin-sick and diseased, but because the Spirit of God opened their blinded eyes and softened stony hearts to ask for forgiveness, we have been forgiven of much. Self-righteousness is a disease, and there are many “believers” who will miss out on the glory of the Kingdom because of it. But the good news is that there is a gracious King and Saviour. And, if you are willing to ask, He is willing to forgive and you will be healed.
Ask: In what way is self-righteousness like a disease?
Seek: How aware are you of your sin and your need for a Saviour?
Knock: Pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24 and ask God to show you where you have fallen off His perfection standard. Thank Jesus for His forgiveness and love.
