Are You Self Righteous or UN-Righteous?

Matt. 21:28 "What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Jesus is being questioned by the Pharisees, as they are trying to trip Him up in His answer. He has already silenced them in the last question, but He is going to push a bit farther and deeper. He is going to hit them right between the eyes.

This paragraph is proof that God resists the proud. The Pharisees has more outward "righteousness" than anyone in their time. They prided themselves in everything they did "for God". Jesus shows them how much He appreciates their "righteous acts".

Jesus also tells us, in the section, that as long as the heart still breaks there is hope. There are many who profess repentance, but then never really get anywhere past professing. There are others who are reluctant to jump right out and tell everyone that they are now Christians, in fact they might tell you that they think you are stupid for believing. God starts to draw them and they start to walk. He starts to change them and pretty soon they are really different people.

Those of us who have walked a long time without coming to Christ are the "tax collectors and prostitutes" Jesus is referring to here. He didn't come to save the self righteous, but the UNrighteous. We must always remember that we have no good thing to bring to Him. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags and yet He draws our dirty selves to Him, makes us clean through the blood of Christ and then seats us with Him in Heavenly places.

What a transformation He has wrought in those who He has saved. Only He can do this work. Pray for those around you that are still walking in darkness, that might see a great light. He can and does change the hearts of "tax collectors and prostitutes" even when we are old. Don't give up on The Hope.