I’ve likely said it too many times to count. Either out loud or just in my mind. But either way, it’s wrong. “At least I’m not as bad as she is.” “I’ve never done anything like that before.” You know what I’m talking about. You’ve done it, too. We all have. Whether we’re Christians or not, we tend to have an attitude of moral superiority.
I’ve been studying holiness for a little while now. I’d never really given much thought to what it meant (even though it’s mentioned repeatedly in scripture). Jackie Hill Perry wrote Holier Than Thou and it took me for a ride. My eyes were opened to things I’ve never considered before. Since that time, I’ve been more keenly aware of my own depravity. I found myself definitely relating to Paul; we’re about as unholy as it gets.
As the world seems to crumble around us every day, I search for lessons to be learned. Whether it’s homosexuality, adultery, lying, or any other sin prevalent in our society, we’re guilty of sitting back and comparing “them” to “us”. The obvious problem with doing that is we can’t measure against something or someone that’s crooked to begin with. The only accurate measurement is God. And we aren’t Him.
I recently found myself in the book of Nehemiah. The book opens the first chapter with a prayer that he brings to God on behalf of Israel. Per the norm, Israel has sinned and Nehemiah understands they need to repent and ask forgiveness (calling on the steadfast love of God). But his word selection is interesting. In verse 6 we read, “………..confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which WE have sinned against you……” Instead of pointing fingers and trying to single out the culprits, he includes himself in the mix. Instead of praying as if everyone else is the problem, he looks at his own life and heart. I think this serves as a perfect example to us.
When standing before a holy God I’m in filthy rags. I’m on level ground with every homosexual, adulterer, liar, thief; you name it. And although as a follower of Jesus I should be striving each and every day to become more like him, I will never reach that mark here in this life. I will never have the moral superiority that allows me to claim I’m better than anyone else. Ever. If we want people to come to know and love Jesus the same way we do, we MUST do better. I MUST DO BETTER.
Nehemiah 1:5 ~ O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments…..