Do you like to have others recognize your good deeds? Do you tell others about the good things you do so they will praise you? Have you considered others may grow tired of hearing you brag about yourself? Do you have a “holier than thou” attitude? Should you rid yourself of it?
Most of us like to get a pat on the back for doing something well from time-to-time. Yet, we should not brag about everything we do. We likely know someone who brags a lot and grow weary of hearing them do so. We tire of their attitude of thinking they are above others.
Jesus tells us not to have a “holier than thou” attitude. He tells us not to look down our noses at others. He tells us not to think higher of ourselves than others. He tells us not judge others. All of this is wrapped in His statement in today’s passage. He doesn’t tell us not to be righteous or strive for righteousness. We simply are not to believe it is our doing, rather be humble and know that our righteousness comes from Him.
In no way is Jesus saying we should not speak to others about Him nor what He has done in our lives. We simply are not to do so by bragging about ourselves. We are to tell our story of redemption and change while giving all the credit to Jesus. We can be excited and should be. We can be joyous, celebratory, and grateful, all while being humble. It is an attitude of the heart that comes by recognizing our hope and salvation comes from Jesus, rather than anything we have done. So, praise Jesus and give Him the credit, thanking Him for His wondrous grace and mercy.
I pray we all give up our “holier than thou” attitudes. I pray we praise Jesus for His amazing grace and mercy. I pray each one of us joyously and humbly give Jesus the credit for our hope and salvation. Have a humble attitude. Praise Jesus for His grace and mercy. Celebrate your hope and salvation that comes from Jesus.
Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Marty Pressey 