Beware of Self-Righteousness

# 261 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:16,17 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

The “righteous in their own eyes” scribes and Pharisees first mistake is going to Jesus’ disciples instead of Him. If you’ve got a problem with someone’s evangelism style or anything else they are doing, go to them one on one. Jesus gave us this principle in Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

The scribes and Pharisees were uncomfortable with this “seeker sensitive” style of evangelism used by Jesus, and so they condemned it. But Jesus silenced them as He even silences those who would condemn today.

In effect He says, “I come to those who see their need for a Savior. If you consider yourself righteous, then what’s the point of My calling on you? You don’t need Me!” Oh, the ramifications of such a thought! Beware of self-righteousness, lest you never hear the knocking of Jesus on the door of your heart.

I'm Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.