The Illusion of Self Righteousness

Wondering if we feel the need to justify our sin as opposed to someone else’s sin (pleading ours is not as bad or somehow appropriate given a situation) or if we feel the need to gossip or “spread” the word of another’s sin….or if we criticize and condemn others who maybe just don’t live up to that standard of perfection we have imposed (as if we are the standard) or better yet, call themselves “Christians” and still “mess up”–maybe, just maybe…we really just don’t understand the truth of how wretched and filthy we are. Once that truth takes root….that we are absolutely no better, humility invades. Self righteousness cannot reside with this realization of our desperate need for grace. Our own need for grace levels the playing field…and with that comes crazy compassion and mercy. Instead of wanting to justify, we know…there is no justification except that we are sin in the flesh. There is no sin of ours that is “not as bad” as someone else’s. Mercy kicks in and no longer allows us to be prompted to share other’s failures and short comings because we know we are the same…the SAME!! Criticizing and condemning is replaced with forgiveness and encouragement to accept grace…to accept Jesus.