Religious righteousness or true righteousness? That is the question.
40 hail Mary’s and 20 “Our Father’s” and all will be forgiven. Or, make a generous offering (over a grand of course) and then the blessings will come!
Doctrines like these, from subtle to blatant, still thrive in our generation. In today’s religions you can; pay to relieve a love one from purgatory, or be baptized in place of deceased loved one. You can crawl on glass and be nailed to a cross to gain His acceptance, you can log hours for heavenly charms. In some religions you find favor by blowing yourselves to bits in a murderous rampage. Some are just filled with simple harmless rituals. Such is the way of religious righteousness. Such are the doctrines of men.
Somehow religious righteousness appeals to man. The carnal man is attracted to work oriented righteousness. We like the 1 2 3′s of earthly deeds rather than the intangible works of faith. Even sacrificial deeds can appeal if great eternal reward is promised. We want a religion we can define. We want quick 2 plus 2 is 4, get your salvation, pay the bill, and move on religion. We want to light a candle rather than be a light. We want to where a robe, rather than be spiritually adorned in meekness. We want to log hours rather than commune in fellowship with God. We want to keep rituals instead of keeping clean hearts. We want to abstain from other rituals rather than abstain from true worldliness. We want to keep commands, do duties, make sacrifice, give, serve, attend etc. all in the name of religion. Basically, we tend to default to religions empty shell rather than a true relationship with God.
Why? Its easier. Its definable. It requires no true faith. But the bible stops us here and declares,  …whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom 14:23
Some think they are righteous because of how they dress. Some think they’re righteous because of what day they go to Church. Some its what they give, what they do or what they do not do. But all this is wrong. The Bible says our righteousness is filthy rags. (Isa 64:6) The bible says there is none righteous no not one. (Psa 53:3) Keep your Sabbath say a hail Mary light a candle, knock a million doors, dress like a nun, where a burka, crawl on glass, etc etc etc and you still fail. YOU ARE STILL UNRIGHTEOUS. (Rom 3:23) You can preach against everything from Christmas to Carnivals, from sunglasses to chrome bumpers, yet you will never find the things that God is truly concerned about without His divine leading. Legalism and law keeping is a plague of hopeless toil. And those caught in its grip are held in darkness and drudgery and duty, like chains to the soul they are bound to a goal they will never meet.
True righteousness can only come from becoming one with the only righteous one, Jesus Christ. Finding a true relationship with Jesus is the only way unto righteousness. Coming by way of repentance to Calvary’s cross. Being filled with His Spirit, Him living inside of you is the only pathway to succeed in being what God has called you to be. You can spout out all the religious ideas and doctrines you want but until your are powerfully filled with the illuminating light of His presence, your religion is dead. (1Co 4:19) There are many flapping jaws of religion whose empty fruitless lives drown out there fair speech. (Mat 12:33) They are nothing but empty clouds. (Jude 1:12) Get it straight, nothing you do can please him outside of Christ. If you go about to establish your own righteousness , you will miss the righteousness of Christ. He alone is your goal. He alone is your reward. Your job is not to get good, its to get God, through Christ Jesus. Be filled with His Spirit, diligently seek His face. Call on His name for mercy. Adorn Him (Rom 13:14) Abide in Him (John 15:4) This is the only path to true righteousness. And thus being filled with His nature will saturate every part of your life.(2Pe 1:4) It will change what you say and do, where you go, how you act, set your priorities and spend your time. You will gain a desire to pray, to shun the world, to dress and behave modestly, give, to be faithful and circumspect… yet all emanating from a love relationship with the master, truly from the heart. Giving life to the empty shell of good deeds. Making pleasant and desirable His commands. And setting in order all things of true righteousness according to His divine leading. This is the joyous way, the fruitful field, the righteousness which is by faith. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal 2:21..Gal 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Rom 9:31  But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4  Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Gal 3:5  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Gal 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Psa 53:3  Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Jud 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
1Co 4:19  But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
1Co 4:20  For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

A road of seeming beauty. Framed with the green grass of good times, spotted with happy flowers of companionship. Graced with uplifting ideologies, feel good philosophies, and self reward. A broad encompassing road that bids a sweet welcome to many a traveler. Yeah more than a welcome, an attraction. If it were not so no one would begin its path. Yet is it wise to commit to journey a road based on the beauty of its beginnings. Will the beginnings of a path ensure its final destination. This broad endeavor has boasted many a great promise to its travelers. Promises of liberty, joy and good will. Promises of ease, rest and peace. And to some, promises of victory, pleasure and power. Yet its end is far and few take time to consider it. Bewitched by its beauty they are seduced to travel this way without nary a though to its final destination. The way that seems right unto a man. It seems right to pursue pleasure. It seems right to act in my best interest. It seems right to push forward and exalt our interests. And thus happily many walk blindly down its dusty path. Yet well into the path things begin to change. The flowers fade and the incline gradually begins to take its tole. Still spotted with seasons of beauty, they are but mirages. They serve only to keep you in route. The end narrows, framed with craggy cliffs and barren wasteland. Worried by wild beast and plagued by many a storm. Some meat its destination quicker. Some it is all to obvious that there road is no longer pleasant. You’ve seen them. It started so casual. A party, a good time, pleasure fun and friendship. Yet the flower quickly faded away and the dark clouds clapped there thunder as if to laughingly mock their victim. And a life was swept away. That one is obvious. But what of the other tributaries that eventually meet with this way of death. What about the subtle roads of selfishness and pride. What about the way of compromise. It seems right, it seems normal. I have seen the tale-bearing tongue drown its victims in the slow quicksand of negativity. I have seen minor unfaithfulness infect a child with rebellion. I have seen the end of subtle un-repented wrongs, it is death. Things so small, so seemingly insignificant. Yet it is never insignificant to exalt our will above God’s. Or to exalt our ideas above his word. It may have innocent beginning but I warn you to turn. Turn from your will, your self tainted ways. Cease to weigh yourself on your own scales and step to the word of God and surrender to its authority. Find the narrow way, find the humble mind of Christ. Find Calvary. Choose to lose your life, choose to let go of self justification, and self righteousness. Flee it, not for its current landscape, but for its end. Take a humble broken self revue, for… ” There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. ” Pro 16:25

Let’s make this clear. It’s not about the accolades. We are in this to glorify God. This principal is Christianity 101. If you’re confused about who deserves the glory, get back on your knees and find God. But, that being said, ministry is so full of struggle and disappointment, that an encouraging word of appreciation can go a long way. “Thank you, you made a difference in my life” Those sort of words will refuel a dying burden and recharge a weary worker. I can vividly remember times when unexpected appreciation came and melted my soul in love. We know God rewards, but it sure is nice to have an occasional pat on the back. As a preacher, the lime light shines on you enough to bring many an accolade and some wonderful heartfelt lauding. Maybe a bit too much at times. But I appreciate it. Though it is not always so with those unsung heroes behind the scenes. They have to brave the struggles without the support. Often in true derision. I understand the extreme value of the hidden ministries within the Church. Every great river is the result of many streams.
As I write this my wonderful wife came in the room. She is truly my better half. Every success I’ve experienced in ministry is half hers. Her faithfulness has trudged her through many storms and lives have been impacted mightily on the way. But there have been few accolades and little attention paid to her contribution. People tend to forget the supporting role no matter how much a part it may play. After a dozen years of ministry I finally see a season of realization coming to this great woman. Some are beginning to see the wonderful godly fountain of blessing that flows through this weaker vessel. A fountain that provides healing and strength. A fountain that nourishes every aspect of my ministry. Thank you Lord for providing an oasis of appreciation. Let it renew our strength to battle another day, and see your will done in the lives of men. Thank you for giving me a wife who has your caring compassionate loving heart within her. Together we will change the world!

One day as the Little Red Pastor was scratching though his bible, he found a grain of wheat.

“This wheat must be planted,” he said. “Who will plant this grain of wheat in the hearts of men?”

“I’m too shy,” said the Duck.

“I’m too busy,” said the Cat.

“That’s not my calling,” said the Dog.

“Then I will,” said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.

Soon the wheat grew to be tall and yellow.

“The wheat is ripe,” said the Little Red Pastor. “Who will cut the wheat with evangelism?”

“I don’t know enough,” said the Duck.

“That time doesn’t work for me,” said the Cat.

“Let me pray about it,” said the Dog.

“Then I will,” said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.

When the wheat was cut, the Little Red Pastor said, “Who will thresh the wheat with discipleship?”

“I’ve never taught a bible study,” said the Duck.

“I’m there on Sunday,” said the Cat.

“I’m not a preacher,” said the Dog.

“Then I will,” said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.

When the wheat was threshed, the Little Red Pastor said, “Who will take this wheat to the mill of fellowship?”

“Can I just watch you do it?” said the Duck.

“In September,” said the Cat.

“Can’t, hangin’ with my friends,” said the Dog.

“Then I will,” said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.

He took the wheat to the mill and had it ground into flour. Then he said, “Who will make this flour into bread in prayer?”

“I tried it once, it didn’t go too well,” said the Duck.

“I’m organizing a meeting about that,” said the Cat.

“I’m busy with the choir,” said the Dog.

“Then I will,” said the Little Red Pastor. And he did.

He made and baked the bread. Then he said, “Who will eat the blessings of this bread with me on Sunday?”

“Oh! I will,” said the Duck.

“And I will,” said the Cat.

“And I will,” said the Dog.

“No, No!” said the Little Red Pastor. “I will do that.” And he did

Mat 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
Not few people…
Not few Christians…
Few laborers…
What are you?

Daily challenges. Financial, relational, spiritual, carnal challenges. We meet them every day. They can make us feel like we are swimming the Atlantic with lead boots. It doesn’t take a tragedy to weigh you down. At least with a tragedy you have a reason to want to keep your head buried under the covers. Life can get heavy. Daily becomes a 4 letter word, responsibilities loom like mountains, weariness clouds the sun of every activity, and there seems no escape. But is there? There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. – 1Co 10:13
With every temptation… a way of escape. Hope, there’s always hope. In the 911 tragedy many were left with no escape, no hope. But some did perish who had a way of escape but didn’t take it for one reason or another. That’s where we fall. Squandered escape routes from daily life. God gives us a way to escape our stress our frustrations our disappointments, and we fail to utilize it. How many times have you noted how your day went better because it began in prayer. How many times have a sermon or altar call lifted a thousand pounds from your shoulders. Like the old song says ” O’ what peace we often forfeit, O’ what needless pain we bare, all because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer ” I know you’re probably thinking it can’t be that simple, but consider the following. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. -Pro 3:5 So, how ’bout the blessing of a God conscience life? Have you found His daily treasures that free you from the drudgery of life. Ever stumbled into a witness (not a Jehovah’s Witness, a witnessing opportunity) only to walk away with a spring in your step? What a glorious escape. Life can be full of little treasures that rapture us from the daily routine to a better way. Why do we miss it. The same reason I miss my off ramps and turns while on the phone. We get distracted. We leave God behind. And thus leave His blessing. The trick of the enemy is to distract us and cause us to miss our escape. When traveling with my wife, if I happened to notice an outlet mall or some other one sided point of interest, I would say “look over there” pointing the other way, (money saving technique) This is what happens when we approach God’s escape plan. The enemy does all he can to get us looking at the wrong things. Let’s simply refocus on our great God. Put Him back on the throne. Delight in His ways and live in the desires of our heart. (Psalms 37:4) Its that simple. There is an escape.