Righteous By Comparison Does Not Make You Right

Have you ever thought "Thank God that I am not like that other person?" It's not a new problem.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. - Luke 18:10-14

A common mistake is that we determine our righteousness by comparing ourselves to other people instead of comparing ourselves to Jesus.

It doesn't work that way - at least from the eternal perspective. You can always find people who are worse morally than you are. Or you might decide that righteousness is a function of wealth, citizenship, genealogy, religion, or ethnicity.  That is the world's definition. Making comparisons like that works when comparing yourself to others particularly when you are with others who are likeminded - people like you. But when you step away from the natural and into the supernatural, it all falls apart.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23

All means all. You cannot stand before a holy God on your own merit - it doesn't matter who you are - In the case of President Trump - it's how many people he has helped - how many wars he has ended - how much money he has - the problem is that the only thing that matters is faith in Jesus. He said he does not think he is going to heaven - yet. (I added the "yet" because apparently, by his own admission, he is counting on his works and not faith in Jesus) And he is not alone. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church - and to all Christians for all generations ....

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith - Philippians 3:4-9

The only way we can be righteous enough to please God the Father, is by faith in Jesus. Be careful that you are not quick to judge others so you might justify your own short comings. So you might be found righteous by comparison.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye - Matthew 7:1-5

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone