We had a fascinating discussion yesterday at our Lenten Wednesday Lunch Study. As you might expect, the discussion really got me thinking.
We were talking about being righteous. Specifically about whether or not we are. Righteous, that is; whether or not we are righteous.
Of course, the talk quickly moved toward our being righteous “in God’s eyes.” This, many Christians understand, is the work and gift of Jesus.
God sees us as righteous thanks to Jesus’ life and sacrificial death on the cross.
Good news, right?
Yes, except that thinking of ourselves as righteous tends to get us into trouble. (See “self-righteous”)
On the other hand, refusing to recognize that Jesus actually opens this opportunity to us, leaves us as miserable sinners, condemned always to fail.
How do we carve out space in the middle – acknowledging AND accepting this good gift from God – to understand that, thanks to Jesus, we are (first) seen as righteous by God and (second) actually grow in righteousness as we follow Jesus?
I’ve got a few ideas, and invite yours as well.
- We must keep in mind that the righteousness that indeed becomes ours is given – offered freely - to us.
- In would likely help if we focused more on recognizing everyone else as someone who has been offered this gift even more than remembering that we (ourselves) have been offered the gift. In other words, practice this: every person you see, think to yourself: “God sees that person as righteous through Jesus’ gift.”
- Take some time each day to reflect on the ways God has worked in your life that day.
The Rev. Steve Heyduck, former chaplain at Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas, is senior pastor of Euless First United Methodist Church, in Euless,Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth. He describes himself as a "non-Constantinian, post-modern" Christian on his blog, Everyday Theology.