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 When
asked by a stranger whether he considered his wife attractive, a
certain rancher replied, “Compared to what?” Many are
inclined to measure their standing with God in much the same
fashion. By some standard most justify themselves as being “good
enough to get by” spiritually. Honest and discerning men will
recognize this popular practice to be wrong for several reasons.
In
the first place, what pleases self does not necessarily please
God. It would appear unnecessary to point this out were it not
for the widespread notion ion that personal preference ought to
be respected on a par with divine revelation. Paul’s preaching
gave emphasis to how men “ought to walk and to please God”
(1 Thss. 4:1). This principle is controverted by the subjective
philosophy of moderns who put the emphasis on what pleases the
individual. The fundamental question to be resolved is not
whether my religion satisfies me, but whether it pleases God.
With Paul, our aim must be “to be well pleasing unto Him” (2
Cor. 5:9).
Secondly,
pleasing God involves more than just being better than someone
else. Paul wrote of certain ones who commended themselves as
they measured and compared themselves by themselves. He
concludes them to be without understanding (2 Cor. 10:12). As
the self-righteous Pharisee of Lk. 18, most can find a despised
“publican” with which to compare and exonerate himself. What
is the consolation in a relative righteousness that sees self
as being “better” than another sinner if I am less
than God wants me to be? Some seem to take delight in finding
fault with Christians — as
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though the Christian’s sins could somehow
excuse his own. Someone (Abraham Lincoln, I think) has said in
this connection, “Short men do not grow taller by cutting off
the legs of tall men”. Is anyone complimented in being “as
good” as the hypocrite in the church? It is a poor system of
justification that can only find credit for self by discrediting
others.
A
similar, but more subtle method of self-justification is the
appeal to a high moral standard. It goes further than just being
better than some; it prides itself in having higher moral
standards than most and may even include being a loyal worker in
some church group. “Surely”, some would think, “this is
good enough to take me to heaven!” But it’s only the same
misconception in different wrappings. Self is still Judge and
men still the standard. We must look higher.
True
righteousness means being right with God
and is possible only on His terms. Through faith man subjects
himself to God’s will (Matt. 7:21) as set forth in the gospel.
Therein is God’s plan for making man righteous (Rom. 1:17). As
man expresses his faith in repentance and baptism (Mk. 16:17;
Acts 2:38), he is pardoned by God’s grace and thus becomes a
servant of righteousness (Rom. 6:17,18). Remaining righteous
means doing righteousness (1 Jn. 3:7) to the best of our
abilities and seeking God’s forgiveness wherein we fall short.
Entrusting my soul to what I think may be right is
wrong. Doing what God says can never be wrong. Dan S. Shipley
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