The Unrighteousness of the Self-Righteous

Last week we finished Paul’s condemnation of the pagans who suppress the truth of God that is revealed in creation and then exchange it for a lie. We saw that the outcome of this is that the Gentile nations live in darkened worship, passions, and patterns of life. In reading what Paul wrote there, we might make the mistake of thinking that this is the only way that unrighteousness is revealed. We might think, OK, if I just acknowledge God and seek to live in obedience to him, then I’ll be fine. In fact, I’ll distinguish myself with my obedience. I’ll be so strict in my law keeping that I will look so much better than anyone else, so God must accept me. The Jews had this attitude towards God. They viewed themselves as righteous before God for two reasons. First, they were children of Abraham, and therefore, they were the chosen of God. This is the argument the Pharisees give back to Jesus when he tells them that they are enslaved by their sin. In John 8:33 they reply, “we are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved.” So, they believed that because they were God’s chosen people, they were automatically righteous and didn’t need forgiveness. But, secondly, they also believed that by following the strict moral code of the Torah and the Talmud, they could obligate God to give them heaven. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who go into the temple together to pray. The Pharisee looks at the tax collector and prays, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even this tax collector.” The Pharisee of this story thought that his strict adherence to his moral code set him apart from all other men, and that God would show favor on him because of it.

So, Paul turns from addressing the unrighteousness of the pagans to now address the unrighteousness of the self-righteous. Let’s read our text from Rom. 2:1-11. From this passage, I want you to see two points: A Wrong View of Wrath, and A Wrong View of Works.

First, let’s consider the wrong view of wrath in verses 1-5. Paul says that the Jews (and anyone who thinks that they are better than other people because of their morality) are in no better place than the pagans who have darkened hearts and minds. I want you to notice that Paul uses the same language to describe the plight of the self-righteous and the foolish. Notice first that he says that the self-righteous are without excuse. Remember back in chapter 1, vs 20, Paul said that the pagans are without excuse because God had revealed himself through creation. Now, he says that the self-righteous are without excuse because they judge others while doing the same things. You see, the self-righteous thinks that because of his status in society, or because of his years of service to the church, or because of his strict moral lifestyle, that he can condemn other people. And, sadly, the self-righteous take delight in the judgment of other people. They enjoy it when a sinner suffers the consequences of his or her sins. They get a kick out of it when the preacher points out the besetting sin of someone else. Yet, Paul says that by passing judgment, they condemn themselves. Notice the reason why that is at the end of verse 1: “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” Consider the scandal that has ingulfed Liberty University and the Falwell family over the last several years. Jerry Falwell, Jr. inherited the leadership of Liberty University from his father, the famous Rev. Jerry Falwell. Jerry Jr. grew Liberty into a powerhouse among Christian schools, and while he did that, the school enforced a strict moral code. Jerry Jr. would go to all of the popular Christian rallies and preach against the moral decay of our society and our need, as Christians, to “take the country back.” And, in 2015, Falwell was the first major evangelical voice to endorse Donald Trump for President because he said that Christians needed a “strong man who would stand and fight for us.” Yet, while Jerry was preaching against the moral decay of our country and calling us to recover our nation, it turns out that he and his wife were raving alcoholics who participated in all sorts of sexual sins. And, it's just recently been reported that Falwell Jr. now says that he isn’t really religious. Self-righteousness can be found in a national evangelical leader or in the pew or the pulpit of any church in Butler County.

Paul also uses the same language in 1:18 and 2:5. Paul says that the wrath of God is revealed against the pagans, and in verse 5 he says that the self-righteous are storing up wrath on the day that God’s judgment is revealed. This wrath is revealed against the self-righteous because they have a “hard and impenitent heart.” Like the pagan, they want to manipulate God into getting what they want. The pagan does it by seeking worldly wisdom, and the self-righteous does it by living by a moral code, but it is all the same thing. They are not remorseful for their sinful hearts. They are not repentant of their secret sins. They just want to use God for their own ends.

That brings me to my second point: A Wrong View of Works. In verse 6, Paul says that, on the day of judgment, God will give to each according to his works. To those who live by patience and seek the glory of God, he will give eternal life. But, for those who seek their own glory, they will receive wrath and fury. Now, Baptists tend to get all up in arms when we start talking about works having anything to do with salvation because we believe that salvation is by grace and faith alone. So, let’s be careful to understand just what Paul means here. Put simply, we are not saved by our works, but we are saved by the works of Jesus Christ, who enables us by His Spirit to do good works that are pleasing to God. Understand that God expects good works. He expects his creation to give him the glory he deserves. He expects his creation to reflect back the image that he has created in them. He expects that creation to love one another. But, as we will see in a couple of weeks, no one does that. We are all broken, both pagan and Jew. The pagans see God clearly revealed in creation, and yet they reject him and do horrible things to each other. The Jew has the law of God, and yet they secretly sin against God all while treating outcasts and sinners like trash. But Jesus was the true Israelite who did what Israel could not do. He lived in perfect obedience to the law of God. When the Pharisees would try to catch him on a technicality, like healing someone on the sabbath, he would reveal that God had intended the Sabbath for just such works of mercy. He would also reveal the true heart of the Law, as he would teach that it was not enough to avoid adultery while lusting after a woman. And, in his death, he took the place of all of those who had lived in their sinfulness and self-righteousness. 1 Pet. 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” And, in his resurrection, he brought about eternal life that we now have through his Holy Spirit. So, because we have his Spirit, we can do good works that please God. Eph. 2:10 says that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

That will be the distinguishing marker between the righteous and the unrighteous. Those who inherit eternal life will be those who have found their righteousness in Jesus Christ. Those who will be judged are those who have sought to live by their own moral standards, apart from repentance and obedience to Christ. Friend, no among of moral living will make you acceptable before God. Your family heritage in this or any church will not be enough. Your years of service and attendance will not be enough. Only repentance and faith in Jesus Christ will matter. Won’t you turn to him today?

Brothers and sisters, we are not saved by our good works. I have talked to many Christians who lose heart and become discouraged because they are no longer as capable as they used to be. They worry that they will lose God’s favor because they are no longer able to serve. I’ve also talked to many Christians who worry that they just don’t have the moral pedigree to be acceptable to God. Maybe you have a past that keeps haunting you. Or, maybe you keep coming back to a besetting sin. Take heart! It is not your works that save you, but the works of the one truly righteous man: Jesus Christ. Do not give up on good works, but do your works in light of what Christ has already done for you. May we do good works out of gratitude for the fact that Jesus has saved us from our own self-righteousness and the wrath of God that is to come upon it.