Text: Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)
9- And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10- Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11- The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12- I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13- And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14- I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Self-righteousness is having confidence in one's ability to procure salvation or justification from sin by one's own virtuous acts or performance outside the merit of Christ. It also implies the idea that, by doing good works or engaging in positive moral acts, one could merit a place in God's Kingdom. Those who hole this type of belief stress the importance of good conduct, decent living and ethical decorum in being accepted by God.
Self-righteousness also indicates or implies a life that trusts in human efforts, rather than faith in God's mercy, as the key to attaining salvation or acceptance by God. But against the belief that one could be justified by personal acts of goodness, God's word affirms as follows: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9). It is futility, therefore, for anyone to believe or be made to believe that he can possess true righteousness by his own efforts or personal merit outside of Christ.
The scripture is equivocal when it declares that all men are sinners, needing redemption from the Lord. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23). It is also emphatic when it asserts that none "understandeth" (the way of salvation): "none... seeketh after God" (verse 11). It states further that all human beings have "gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no not one" (verse 12). Owing to the fall of Adam and Eve, humanity became depraved, enslaved and totally sold unto sin. Embracing the sin-nature, human beings became evil, wicked and wanton. As sin transited from one generation to another, they sought ways to get right with God. Thus, efforts have been made to generate some kind of righteousness that they hope would be acceptable unto God. Many suppose that by helping the needy, going to holy pilgrimages, or by being philanthropic, they will earn salvation. Others think that salvation comes through a regular church attendance, prompt payment of tithes or such other religious exercises as attending special conferences and retreats. These exercises, though good in themselves, are no substitutes for God's righteousness, which is from Christ alone.
How then can we get the Righteousness of God?
The Bible characterizes human righteousness as smutty and grimy. "But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness are as filthy rags....."(Isaiah 64:6a). In a nutshell, human effort cannot procure salvation or true righteousness. the reason being that righteousness is an attribute and nature of God and HE only can impute and impart it to us (James 2:23 (KJV)
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Romans 4:22-25). God has made the provision through the blood of Jesus Christ to redeem humankind and imbue them with the God-kind of righteousness.
Righteousness is received through FAITH IN CHRIST. This faith is not the mere belief in a doctrine, but active trust in Christ, practical reliance on His grace, obedient loyalty to His will (John 15:10).
By faith in Christ as the sacrifice for sin we are reconciled with God. Christ having offered Himself to God on our behalf we are called to look to Him as "the Way" to the Father. If through pride or unbelief we think that we can dispense with a Saviour, we must not be surprised if God rejects our overtures towards reconciliation (Acts 13:38, 39). The offering of Christ not only secures forgiveness, but through this cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living and true God (Hebrews 9:14).
By faith in Christ as the revelation of God we grow into the Divine image. Christ is the pattern man because He is the Son of God. To be righteous is to be like God, like Christ. When we trust to Him faithfully, we shall walk in His footsteps in the irresistible desire to be near Him, and thus we shall unconsciously grow up into the likeness of Him and share His righteousness.
By faith in Christ as our Lord and Master we are led into obedient loyalty to His will. He who trusts Christ must trust Him in all His relations. Thus the faith which is reliance on a Saviour becomes loyalty when it turns to a King. Then the righteousness which refused to come at the cold, stern bidding of law springs forth as a very passion of devotion.