Recognizing Our Need for Grace: Beyond Self-Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: The Peril of Self-Righteousness

Self-righteousness is a dangerous spiritual condition where individuals judge others harshly while ignoring their own sins. This attitude stems from a lack of self-awareness and an inflated sense of moral superiority. Paul emphasizes that both self-righteousness and unrighteousness are equally sinful, and recognizing our own need for grace is crucial for true repentance. Jesus consistently expanded the sin circle to include everyone, making it clear that sin is not just about actions but also about the condition of the heart. This broader understanding of sin helps us see our own need for grace and prevents us from judging others. [28:48]

Romans 2:1-3 (ESV): "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?"

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you judged someone harshly. How can you shift your perspective to recognize your own need for grace in that situation?

Day 2: God's Kindness Leads to Repentance

God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are intended to lead us to repentance, not entitlement. When we mistake God's patience for approval, we fall into the trap of self-righteous pride, thinking we deserve blessings for our good deeds. This misunderstanding can lead to a sense of entitlement, where we believe we are owed something from God. Instead, we should see God's patience as an opportunity to repent and grow spiritually. [29:56]

Romans 2:4 (ESV): "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt entitled to God's blessings. How can you reframe your understanding of God's kindness to lead you to genuine repentance?

Day 3: The Danger of Lack of Self-Awareness

Our society's obsession with external validation, like social media, diminishes our self-awareness. This lack of self-awareness prevents us from recognizing our need for God's grace, leading to a vicious cycle of spiritual stagnation. Paul warns against this in his letter to Timothy, predicting a time when people will seek out teachings that make them feel good rather than those that challenge them to grow. To break this cycle, we must cultivate self-awareness and seek God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable. [37:31]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: How much time do you spend seeking validation from external sources like social media? What steps can you take to cultivate self-awareness and seek God's truth instead?

Day 4: Jesus Expands the Sin Circle

Jesus consistently expanded the sin circle to include everyone, emphasizing that sin is not just about actions but also about the condition of the heart. This broader understanding of sin helps us see our own need for grace and prevents us from judging others. Jesus used examples like the Sermon on the Mount and the story of the woman caught in adultery to illustrate this point. By recognizing that we are all part of the sin circle, we can better appreciate the depth of God's grace and our need for it. [32:42]

Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV): "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire."

Reflection: Think of a time when you judged someone based on their actions. How can you shift your focus to the condition of your own heart and recognize your need for grace?

Day 5: The Blackest of Sins

The most dangerous sin is not recognizing our need for God's grace. Standing outside the sin circle and judging others is the blackest of sins because it blinds us to our own need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace. True spiritual growth comes from acknowledging our sins and relying on Jesus as the only way out of the sin circle. By humbling ourselves and seeking God's grace, we can experience true transformation and spiritual growth. [47:03]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV): "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt morally superior to someone else. How can you humble yourself and recognize your own need for God's grace in that situation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound message in Romans chapter 2, where Paul shifts his focus from "they" to "you," emphasizing that we are all part of the sin circle. Whether we are unrighteous or self-righteous, every one of us is a sinner in need of God's grace. Paul addresses the churchgoers who pride themselves on following religious rules, reminding them that their self-righteousness is just as sinful as the unrighteousness they condemn in others. He underscores that God's kindness and patience are meant to lead us to repentance, not entitlement.

We delved into the dangers of self-righteousness, which often stems from a lack of self-awareness. Self-righteous individuals tend to judge others harshly while overlooking their own sins. Jesus, in His teachings, constantly expanded the sin circle, making it clear that everyone is guilty and in need of grace. He used examples like the Sermon on the Mount and the story of the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that sin is not just about actions but also about the condition of the heart.

We also discussed the societal tendency to seek validation from external sources, like social media, which further diminishes our self-awareness. This lack of self-awareness prevents us from recognizing our need for God's grace. Paul warns against this in his letter to Timothy, predicting a time when people will seek out teachings that make them feel good rather than those that challenge them to grow.

In conclusion, we must recognize that we are all in the same position of needing God's grace. Our self-righteousness can be the most dangerous sin because it blinds us to our need for repentance. True spiritual growth comes from acknowledging our sins and relying on Jesus as the only way out of the sin circle.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Righteousness vs. Unrighteousness**: Paul emphasizes that both self-righteousness and unrighteousness are equally sinful. Self-righteous individuals often judge others while ignoring their own sins, which is a dangerous place to be spiritually. Recognizing our own need for grace is crucial for true repentance. [28:48]
2. God's Kindness Leads to Repentance: God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are intended to lead us to repentance, not entitlement. When we mistake God's patience for approval, we fall into the trap of self-righteous pride, thinking we deserve blessings for our good deeds.

3. The Danger of Lack of Self-Awareness: Our society's obsession with external validation, like social media, diminishes our self-awareness. This lack of self-awareness prevents us from recognizing our need for God's grace, leading to a vicious cycle of spiritual stagnation.

4. Jesus Expands the Sin Circle: Jesus consistently expanded the sin circle to include everyone, emphasizing that sin is not just about actions but also about the condition of the heart. This broader understanding of sin helps us see our own need for grace and prevents us from judging others.

5. The Blackest of Sins: The most dangerous sin is not recognizing our need for God's grace. Standing outside the sin circle and judging others is the blackest of sins because it blinds us to our own need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace.

### [28:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction and Praise for Tice
[01:45] - Recap of Last Week's Sermon
[02:30] - Transition from "They" to "You"
[03:15] - Addressing Self-Righteousness
[04:00] - God's Kindness and Repentance
[05:00] - The Danger of Entitlement
[05:45] - Judging Others vs. Judging Ourselves
[06:30] - Jesus Expands the Sin Circle
[07:30] - The Skinny Mirror Analogy
[08:30] - Paul's Warning to Timothy
[09:30] - Questions for Self-Reflection
[10:30] - The Impact of Screen Time on Self-Awareness
[11:30] - The Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery
[12:30] - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[13:30] - The Blackest of Sins
[14:30] - Personal Reflection and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 2:1-4, what is the consequence of judging others while committing the same sins? [27:59]
In Matthew 5:27-28, how does Jesus expand the understanding of sin beyond just actions? [32:42]
What does 2 Timothy 4:3 warn about the future behavior of people regarding sound doctrine? [34:55]
How does Paul describe God's kindness in Romans 2:4, and what is its intended purpose? [29:20]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize that both self-righteousness and unrighteousness are equally sinful? How does this understanding affect our view of ourselves and others? [28:48]
How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:27-28 challenge the traditional views of sin and righteousness? What does this imply about the condition of our hearts? [32:42]
What are the dangers of seeking validation from external sources, such as social media, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this impact our self-awareness and spiritual growth? [37:31]
How does the warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 about people seeking teachings that suit their desires relate to the concept of self-righteousness discussed in the sermon? [34:55]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you judged someone else harshly. How did this sermon challenge your perspective on that situation? What steps can you take to avoid such judgments in the future? [28:48]
Jesus expanded the sin circle to include thoughts and intentions. How can you become more aware of the condition of your heart and seek God's grace in those areas? [32:42]
In what ways have you sought validation from external sources like social media? How can you shift your focus to seeking validation from God instead? [37:31]
Paul warns against mistaking God's patience for approval. Have you ever felt entitled to God's blessings because of your good deeds? How can you cultivate a heart of repentance instead? [29:56]
How do you respond when you hear about someone else's sin? Is your first reaction one of compassion and grace, or judgment? How can you develop a more compassionate and grace-filled response? [43:13]
Think about a time when you compared your sins to others' and felt superior. How can you remind yourself that all sin is equal in God's eyes and that everyone needs His grace? [36:28]
How can you create more opportunities for internal reflection and self-awareness in your daily life? What specific steps will you take to minimize distractions and focus on your spiritual growth? [39:39]

Sermon Clips

1. "You might be unrighteous or you might be self-righteous but every single one of us are sinners and so in chapter two Paul he's going to speak a little bit more directly to the church people the the people who come in every week and they put their confidence in the fact that they follow certain rules Paul he's going to help those people recognize that we're all in this together." [26:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And Jesus, he was constantly addressing this. In his Sermon on the Mount, it's a really good example of how Jesus was constantly making the sin circle bigger. He says in the Sermon on the Mount, he says, you've heard it said, don't commit adultery, but I tell you that if you even look at somebody lustfully, you've already committed adultery in your heart." [32:03] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We want to surround ourselves with people who will hold up a mirror that make us feel better about ourselves. That way, we can feel like we're standing outside of that circle. But being self-righteous, it's the exact same thing as being unrighteous. And I really think that it always comes from a lack of self-awareness." [34:55] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Do I focus more on how bad people are or how good God is? Do I focus more on how bad people are or do I focus more on how good God is? Because this is the person that is passionate about how bad people are, but they don't seem to be nearly as passionate about how good our God is." [35:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are robbing ourselves of opportunities for internal reflection because we are constantly surrounded by all these external distractions. We have never been more aware of what's happening around us and less aware of what's happening inside of us. And I think if we could get to the point where we focus less on what everybody else is saying, we'd be able to take time and start focusing on our own stuff and maybe at that point, we'd start to realize just how much we need God's grace." [39:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And Jesus, he was constantly addressing this all throughout the gospels. In John chapter eight, one early morning, Jesus, he was teaching in the courtyard when the religious leaders, they come and they throw this woman in front of him. And the Bible tells us this woman, the woman had been caught in the act of adultery. And so they say to Jesus, they say, hey, the law says that we're supposed to stone her. But what do you say that we do?" [40:22] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "If I were to say to you this morning, I've got some really good news for bad people and I've got some really bad news for good people, how would you respond? What would your response be? If I said, hey, I got some really good news for bad people and I got some really bad news for good people, some of you, you'd be so excited to hear what the good news is. You'd be excited because you recognize deep down that you got a little bit of bad in you." [45:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "My only hope, my only hope is to recognize that Jesus is the only way out. And until we get to that point, we don't have a chance. We've got to realize that of all the sinners, we are the worst." [47:03] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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