How to Know if You Are Self-Righteous

Nobody wants to be self-righteous.  Nobody admits to it either.  Typically the term "self-righteous" refers to an arrogant confidence in one's own righteousness.  It is the failure to see the log in your own eye.  Most of us try not to be like that.  

But there's another kind of self-righteousness that is even more dangerous, and much more common.  It is relying upon your own righteousness to get to heaven.  It is the assumption that the way to heaven is to be good enough, that it is possible to be good enough, and that you are good enough to make the cut.  It is relying upon your good works, your merit, your performance to get to heaven.  There are four big problems with self-righteousness.

First, the Bible says that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Self-righteousness directly contradicts the Bible.  Salvation is a free gift, not something earned or deserved.  It is appropriated by faith in Jesus Christ, who died in our place for our sins.

Second, to be good enough for heaven you must be perfect.  (Gal 3:10).  The Bible is clear that only two types of people go to heaven:  Perfect people, and forgiven people.  If you are trying to get to heaven by being a good person, only perfection is good enough.  

Third, no one is righteous (Rm 3:23).  No one is perfect.  In fact, no one is good (Rm 3:10-18).  If you think you are good enough to go to heaven, you are wrong.  

Fourth, the Bible condemns self-righteousness (Gal 5:4).  Not only does the Bible contract self-righteousness, but the Bible flat out condemns it.  If you are trying to get right with God via your own performance, you are separated from Christ and have fallen from grace.

The only way to heaven is to rely upon Christ rather than self.  You must recognize your sinfulness and total inability to earn your way to heaven, and trust only in the cross of Christ.

So, how can you tell if you are self-righteous?  There's a test that reveals if you are self-righteous.  It is a simple question.  Why should God let you into heaven?  Think about that for a moment.  What is your answer?  If your answer is about your own righteousness, performance, effort, merit, goodness, religious devotion, good deeds, etc., then you are self-righteous and you are in danger of hellfire.  You may believe in Jesus, but your faith is in yourself.  You are trusting in, and leaning on, and relying upon yourself.  The right answer to that question is that God will let me into heaven because Christ paid for my sins, and I trust in Him.  My hope is in Christ.  My boast is in Christ.  My faith is in Christ.