What do the pharisees of Jesus' time, and many folks in Christianity today have in common?They think that they are more righteous than everyone else.
The pharisees back in Jesus day all had a "holier than thou" mentality. They prided themselves on obeying the Torah, and they even made up their own laws demanding that everyone else follow them. They were self-righteous, and religious people who thought that they were on a deeper level with God more than everyone else.
You can really see the mentality of the pharisees in the parable of Luke 18:9-14:
He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up 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, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Wow talk about spiritual pride from the pharisee!
Unfortunately, there are so many folks in our churches today who also are just like the pharisees. The modern day pharisees may not wear the clothing like they did in Jesus' time, but they still have the same mindset in that they believe they are better than others because they:
- pray more
- fast more
- read the Bible more
- are used in spiritual gifts
- never miss a church service
- never watch "R" rated movies
- are able to "notice" everyone else's sin
- ect....
I know all too well how they act, because I too used to be a "pharisee." Sometimes that mentality tries to creep back in, but I'm determined not to ever go down that route again.
Jesus said that people like this are "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness."
Pharisees are notorious for carrying themselves on the outside as people who appear to be "deep" and "spiritual" with God.
Unfortunately many "normal" or "brand-new" Christians see these pharisees and think that this is "true Christianity." They than either become enamored by the way the pharisees act and try to be like them, or they go the opposite direction and feel like they can't measure up therefore they eventually walk away from the church.
I think, this "pharise-ical" mindset is a tool from the enemy and is destroying many Christians from walking in truth.
To combat this mindset, we must get back to the Gospel of Jesus. Realizing that we are "righteous" not because of what we do for Christ-but because of what He has done for us.
I've been going through 2 Peter at a Mens Bible Study that I attend at my church (CrossPoint) every week. It's been great!
If there was anyone who should have been considered more spiritual, holier, and righteous than others- it would have been the Apostle Peter. Just think about it:
- He was the outspoken leader of all the disciples
- He was there when Jesus was transfigured
- He preached the first sermon of the church & 3,000 people got saved
- He saw visions, healing's and countless miracles take place
- He planted churches
- He even walked on water
I don't know of anyone today who has this kind of resume. Yet look at Peter's mindset from 2 Peter 1:1-3.
"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:may grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."
First off, Peter in the opening line of his letter calls himself a SERVANT of Jesus Christ and then apostle. Wow! How different of a mindset is that from many of today's preachers that we see on TBN or in Charisma magazine! So many of them in a prideful manner desire to be called: "Apostle," "Prophet," or "Prophetess."...but notice you rarely ever hear them call themselves a SERVANT of Jesus Christ, first!...Peter knew who he was first and foremost.
Secondly, Peter addresses the Christians to whom he's writing as, "those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours..."
Did you catch that? We have obtained an EQUAL STANDING with the likes of Peter!!! Meaning that if you have been converted to Christ, in God's eyes you are just at equally righteous just as Peter was. Talk about tearing down the "holier than thou" mindset.
How can Peter say this so emphatically and with true apostolic authority? Listen to what he says: "to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ..."
He says it with confidence because of Christ's righteousness that was imputed (given) to us!
This is what Martin Luther called the "great exchange" based on 2 Corinthians 5:21 which says; "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
The essence of the great exchange is that when we believed on Jesus to be our Savior- His perfect, spotless, and righteous record was exchanged for our sin bearing guilty record- so that now, when God looks at us He doesn't see our sin anymore- He sees Christ righteousness!
This is the heart of the Gospel that the Apostle Paul wrote about and we see it echoed in Peters letter as well. We are considered righteous (in right standing with God) not because of our own works (bible reading, church attendance, gifts of the spirit, ect...) but because of what Jesus did for us!
So if you are a pharisee, congratulations for actually reading this far...Lovingly I want to tell that you need to repent of your self-righteousness! Stop trusting in your own righteousness as Jesus said back in Luke 18. Realize you may not even be truly saved if you act like this. It's only by realizing that your "righteousness is as filthy rags in God's eyes (Is.64:6) and repenting trusting in Christ that you can be saved!
If you are a non-believer who thinks that God will never accept you because you are just too screwed up, I got news for you! Christ died for your sins! Realize that your sins make you guilty before a Holy God and that you are in danger of His wrath. Humble yourself today and trust Christ as your Savior!
If you are a "normal" Christian realize the glory of the Gospel. That because of Christ righteousness given to us,
We :
- are a chosen, royal priesthood who belong to God (1 Peter 2:9-10)
- have access to God (Eph. 2:18).
- are His children and He is our Father who loves us very much (1 Jn.1:3)
Now with this knowledge of knowing who we are, and where we stand with God, because of what Christ has done for us- let us as Peter says in the closing of his second letter:
"grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
-David
