Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 

Be honest as you think about this question: whose sin bothers you more—your own or that of  someone else’s in your life? And who are you desperate to see change: yourself or the people  who are causing the problems/drama in your life? I’m willing to bet that the majority of us, as  much as we hate to admit it, know and see the sins and flaws of others much more than we  see our own. This is a spiritual condition, and it has a name: self-righteousness. 

Self-righteousness is something we all struggle with. Pastor and author Paul Tripp  states, “self-righteousness means you don’t see yourself or the other person with accuracy.”  In other words, self-righteousness makes us quick in viewing others with judgment and  condemnation, and quick to justify ourselves and view our own shortcomings with grace and  patience. This is precisely why Jesus says in Matthew 7:3, “Why do you see the speck that is  in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Jesus knows that  self-righteousness in every human heart will always play itself out in a grace-less life towards  others. 

Yet, the beauty of the gospel is that though we may lack grace towards one another,  Jesus never runs out of grace towards us. In all the ways you and I are blind and stuck in our  own self-righteousness, Jesus prayed for us at the cross when he cried out, “Father, forgive  them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). And it’s only when you understand the  magnitude of your sins against God and see the forgiveness that Jesus achieved at the cross  on your behalf, that your self-righteous ways will be transformed into a grace-filled life with  others. Spend time confessing your sins to God, and as you experience his amazing grace  and forgiveness over you, let it overflow into greater grace and love towards the people in your  life.