Some people think Christians like me consider ourselves righteous, because we read our Bible, pray, fast, memorize Scripture, listen to Christian radio, attend church and volunteer there. Those critics don’t realize I am not righteous; I am starving for God. I do all those things, because I just can’t hear enough of his words. When I do these things, he speaks to me and listens to me. He hears me when I’m scared, angry, confused or glad. He rejoices with me when I’m happy, comforts me when I’m sad and calms me when I’m angry. Doing all these things never makes me more righteous, just better fed by my beloved Lord.
Some Pharisee types do think they are more righteous than others because of their outward actions. Luke 16:15a “You like to look righteous in public, but God knows your hearts.” Jesus also described them in Matt.6:2, “So when you give to the needy do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.” Finally, Jesus said, in Luke 20:46- 47“Beware of these teachers of the religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” Some try to look pious but actually have dark and evil hearts. Their reward will be the fires of Hell if they do not love God and people.
I do not serve God because I’ll get a reward in heaven. That goal is too far away to motivate me today. I serve God because I need him now. No one comforts me like he does, even though many family members and friends do comfort me when they can, (2Cor.1:4, “who comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”) We first need God to comfort us before we can comfort others. Besides, my loved ones cannot comfort me in the middle of the night if I have a nightmare. There are many times when no one is around or it is too late or too early to call someone for comfort. But God keeps watch over me every instant, as Psalm 4:8 promises: “In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
I cannot burden people with every problem I have. No one is strong enough to listen to every thought or concern that enters my mind. But God is eternal and in a different dimension where he can hear my every concern along with every other believer’s. I would wear people out with too many difficult emotions (hurt, anger, confusion, disgust, fear, etc.) Yet God asks me to bring all of these difficult emotions to him, (1Peter5:7, “Cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you.”)
Does God love me more than those who don’t pursue him as much? No, for Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrated his love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God loves us whether we come often or infrequently to him. He even loves those who never come to him. I am the one impacted by coming to God often. I love him more as I come to him more. The more I pursue God, the better I know him, (Jer.29:13, “You will seek me and you will find me when you search for me with all your heart.”) What joy to understand the God who is the strongest (he made the world), the kindest (Jesus gave up heaven to suffer so I wouldn’t be condemned), the wisest (he sent his Holy Spirit to help me be wiser), and the most beautiful (Psalm 50:2, “His glory is perfect and beautiful, shining forth from Zion.”) I could go on and on about how wonderful God is.
When I see God’s many attributes, I realize how blessed I am to be loved by such an amazing God. I am also awed to know he loves me when I am so sinful. I don’t become like the Pharisees who thought themselves better than others. Instead I feel amazed that I can be loved, and I feel more grateful.
Do I feel a burden or duty to keep pursuing God? No, I enjoy my time with him. I don’t listen to Christian music instead of secular music as a discipline. I prefer Christian music. Secular radio feels like cotton candy offered to a famished person. It does not satisfy me the way Biblical teaching and music that praises Jesus does.
I grew up in a home where I was my mother’s “difficult to love” child. I had the opposite personality of all my siblings and mom. I felt unlovable and bad. But God has shown me he delights in me and wants to spend time with me. Even now, years since I learned there are others with similar personalities as mine, and I have met many, many people who delight in my personality, I have never forgotten God’s goodness to me when I felt no one else valued me.
Some would say I am addicted to God, because the more I pursue him, the more I want him, but am I addicted to breathing? The more I stand up straight, the better I breathe, so I like to use good posture so I get more air. No, mine is not an addiction to God, but rather sheer necessity, just like breathing is to life.
So please never think I am more righteous than others. Instead join me in how I think of myself, thankful and ever so hunger for more of God. And if this post has intrigued you, use your own methods and pursue God more richly too. I never want to be the fool Jesus described in Luke 12:21, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth and not have a rich relationship with God.” The instant reward is a close and loving relationship with God, yet he promises even more in heaven.
If you don’t have a close relationship with God, please contact me, and I will pray with you. And if you already have a walk with him, keep enjoying it and join us by telling others how generous the Lord is.
Thanks for joining us in this post. May the Lord bless you this week.