Prodigals and Pharisees by Fred Peatross
It is much easier to be convinced of our unrighteousness than our self-righteousness. Unrighteousness is in direct opposition to Scripture. It is external, observable and usually easy to define. But self-righteousness is more subtle. Most self-righteous people are religious. They have strong passions about certain rules and regulations. They set themselves up as God's watchdogs. When they encounter someone who breaks the rules, they feel good about themselves and condescending toward the lawbreakers. Their attitude smells like the elder brother Jesus described in Luke 16.
Legalism is not just sub-Christian or non-Christian. It is anti-Christian. Pay close attention. Because the works of a legalist is subtle. They have the answers for everyone and everything. They confuse knowledge for spirituality.
When the prostitute in Luke 7 washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, Simon said, "If the man were a prophet he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is." Let me ask you. Do you think Simon was less sinful than this woman? Of course he wasn't. He was just more obtuse to his real condition. Legalism does not merely make it impossible to see others as God sees them, it also keeps them from seeing themselves as they really are.
Martin Luther once said that we needed to repent of both our unholy and good deeds alike. He understood that our so-called "righteousness" is full of vanity and devoid of all godliness. Even
our most selfless and sacrificial acts are tainted with sin. Maybe this is what Isaiah meant when he said, "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags." They are soiled and stained with duplicity and self-serving motives.
Jerry Bridges addresses the error of the Christian Pharisee when he said, "Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of grace."
The older brother in Luke 15 was so near, yet so far. So "right" but so wrong. He stood on the premise of grace, but was a stranger to its promise. He seemed so good, hardworking, and obedient. But he had the heart of a graceless beast.
At different times in the past I have been both a prodigal and a Pharisee. But Christianity is found in neither. Christianity is centered in Jesus.
Fred Peatross