Beyond Self-Righteousness: Grace Through Humble, Obedient Faith

Many times when we regard ourselves as righteous, it springs from a proud heart that exalts our own achievements and boasts in ourselves. This is why the Pharisees, thinking they knew the Law well and kept it well, became proud and considered themselves righteous.

But those on whom God pours out His grace are like the tax collector—those who confess they are sinners and come before the Lord with a broken heart. In other words, keeping the Law merely as a law provides no grounds for boasting and does not bring grace. It is the sacrifice and the obedience that flow from the heart that draw down God’s grace. Thus, God desires obedience rather than sacrifice.

Jesus’ command not to hinder the little children from coming to Him teaches that those who wholly seek and depend on God—just as children seek and rely on their parents—are truly blessed. Compared to adults, children are lacking, weak, and in need of protection and care. In the same way, when we go before God with such a heart, we come to enjoy His grace.

Therefore, when problems arise, when we need help, or when we find ourselves in situations that require protection, these can actually become opportunities for grace—times when our hearts are made poor and humbled. When we recognize and believe this, we can truly rejoice in and give thanks for every season. How thankful we should be that moments of hardship and conflict, which humble our hearts, become the very moments when we pray, experience grace, and share in blessing! For this reason the Lord tells us that when suffering comes for His sake, because we follow Him, we can rejoice—and we should rejoice.

Therefore, may we always discern so that neither ourselves, nor others, nor material things, nor anything else becomes a stumbling block to our seeking the Lord. May we examine our faith and humbly seek Him. I bless you in the name of the Lord. Amen.