ICS Daily Devotions
Beware of the “Holier Than Thou” Attitude
Luke 15:29-32 (NKJV) So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
We may not have seen an adult throwing a tantrum, but the son in the above passage is probably the closest thing to it, due to his jealousy and what he perceived as favouritism by his father.
This son was self-righteous, dissatisfied, resentful and judgemental towards his father and brother. How sad it is that he has totally misunderstood the father because he had not taken time to know him. He saw himself as more of a servant than a son in the family. It is impossible for anyone to fully observe the law due to the sin nature. Nonetheless, he was trying to earn his father’s love, approval and affirmation through his service. He was insecure and full of himself. Therefore, he was angry with the grace that was extended towards his brother, because he didn’t have the faintest idea or understanding of what grace is.
If we are not careful, we might unknowingly behave like this too, and burn out while trying to earn God’s love with our service because we identify ourselves as servants only. We would also develop a self-righteous attitude where we will judge every word and action of other believers. Because all of us are at different stages of spiritual growth, we will inevitably witness other Christians stumble in their walks with God. While it is easy to be judgemental and harsh on the person who has fallen, we should be gracious to restore them with a spirit of gentleness and graciousness. In fact, self-righteousness and a “holier than thou” attitude will make ourselves fall too if we are not careful.
Galatians 6:1 (Amp) Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
It is when we can truly grasp and have the appreciation of the grace that’s extended to us by the Heavenly Father, in spite our weaknesses and imperfection, that we will extend grace to others because we ourselves have received grace.
Sermon Series: Extending Grace
