But it strikes me that there are two kids of righteousness that are dangerous, and perhaps even more dangerous for those who lead in worship than for others in less visible places of ministry.
The first is something I struggle with a great deal--and have since I was a kid. It's called self-righteousness.
The second is something I find more tempting the older I get, and it's called false-righteousness.
Both are deceptive. Both are lies from the enemy.
Self-righteousness is when we think we are better than we are--and, God help us, better than those around us. God is slowly healing me of this, but I still battle it often.
False-righteousness is when we want others to think we are better than we are, and usually, better than they are. For me, this is the other side of the same coin. For others, the struggle may be one or the other.
Can you see why this is dangerous, especially on a stage? The bright lights and the attention of others can magnify these temptations.
There is a danger we might not see as easily, but I've encountered it repeatedly. When we are on stage, representing the God who calls us to righteousness, there is always a chance that we'll be found out. What if someone you work with, live near, go to school with, or even share a house with--what if they hear you on stage declaring the glory of a life changed by Jesus but see you off the stage bearing evidence of a life that testifies to just the opposite? Well, when we do that, we've lost credibility. We've damaged the opportunity to bear witness to those far from God about the power of God to redeem and rescue us, to free us from a life bound by sin.
There is a danger we might not see as easily, but I've encountered it repeatedly. When we are on stage, representing the God who calls us to righteousness, there is always a chance that we'll be found out. What if someone you work with, live near, go to school with, or even share a house with--what if they hear you on stage declaring the glory of a life changed by Jesus but see you off the stage bearing evidence of a life that testifies to just the opposite? Well, when we do that, we've lost credibility. We've damaged the opportunity to bear witness to those far from God about the power of God to redeem and rescue us, to free us from a life bound by sin.
But there's good news--no GREAT NEWS!
One of my favorite verses comes from the most famous sermon ever preached. Jesus said, in Matthew 6:33, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well."
You see, the antidote for self-righteousness and false-righteousness is Christ's righteousness. That's what we seek. That's Whose we seek.
So let's seek--and by that I mean, let's pursue, go after, peer in every corner, look in every scripture passage--the kind of righteousness that comes from our God. It won't be condescending to others, it won't even be offensive to others. Remember, Jesus lived a life that was 100% righteous, yet those chasing sin found Him compelling, attractive, and transformational.
There's more at stake than how we perceive ourselves and how others think about us. That's why we need the righteousness of Christ, the kind that flows from the inside out.
I love the way The Message translates Paul's desire for the same thing: "I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ--God's righteousness." (Phil 3:9)
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