Steve’s Devotional - Attracted to Self-Righteousness

Key Life ^ | June 8, 2015 | Steve Brown

[Idaho_Cowboy]

There is a forgetfulness that is common and intrinsic to every Christian. It is a part of the fall and Christians must fight it all the time. We forget how good the good news really is.

Paul was surprised when the Galatians forgot: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?…Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:1, 3). In other words: What were you thinking? Have you already forgotten?

Paul should not have been surprised. We can’t help it.

There is something in us that causes us to become the very thing Jesus came to prevent. Maybe we believe that we could not be that bad or that God’s grace could not be that good. Maybe it’s just that a religion of rules and righteousness is attractive because, frankly, we want to do it ourselves and get the credit for it. It could be that pride and self-righteousness are so much a part of us that we’re attracted to that which affirms it. And then it could be that we’ve been playing the game of religion for so long and are so used to it that we have come to believe it is the only game in town.

After I finished my time with the Lord, I recently found myself adding an addendum before getting to work. I said (I’m blushing when I tell you this…if you say I said it, I’ll say you lied), “I bet there aren’t many Christians who get up this early to be with you. I know you’re proud of me and will bless me for doing this. See how much I love you and how faithful I am!”

I heard God laugh. ...

[Idaho_Cowboy]

Great article on grace.

[MeshugeMikey]

Thank you. I greatly appreciate your posting it. I needed that.

[Tax-chick]

Very good.