Holier Than Thou

What is one of the things we fear most in the church? For that matter, what is the greatest reason for folks outside the church to stay out? It's the same reason that someone who was once loved and involved in a body of believers (the church) leaves that place. Judgement. Unbridled righteousness. The "holier than thou" attitude that filters off of an individual onto another... only to be left feeling beaten, defeated, and unworthy.

"Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name." Psalm 97:12

So, who are the "righteous ones"? What does righteous mean?

In my study notes it describes a righteous person as one of God's people. It presents them as those who honor God and order their lives in all things according to his will. In every human relationship they faithfully fulfill the obligations that the relationship entails, remembering that power and authority (of whatever sort: domestic, social, political, economic, religious, intellectual) are to be used to bless, not to exploit.
 right·eous 

   adjective 3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person.

This is how God meant for it to be - because He is righteous and He created us to be that way too. However, the problem stated above with judgement, is that we are no longer the way God created us due to the fall into sin. That's where the "self-righteousness" comes into play. As sinful beings it is our natural bent to be self-reliant and self-absorbed. When we practice religion and learn of God's ways, designs and laws we twist that power and think it is our job to judge others and tell them "how we would do it" or how they "should" live. Or take it to the extreme and look down the nose and shun the "sinner" as the pharisees did in biblical times. That's not how Jesus went about His work... and He was completely holy, altogether righteous. We are not. And we should not... be self-righteous.

A couple warnings about self-righteous behavior:

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1

"Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." Romans 10:3 

Righteousness comes through God's grace and Jesus' death:

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary speaks of righteousness (in regard to our verse of thanks):
   Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.

Who is holier than thou? God. Only God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). When people try to take on God's authority and judge others with self-righteousness it doesn't work. The key is truly believing that our sinless Jesus died for our sins. Then repent (seek forgiveness) with an honest heart when we fail to walk in obedience to God's laws.

When we realize our roll, in submission to God's authority, and have faith in Christ we, too, are the righteous ones. That gives us the joy to be glad in the Lord and to give thanks to His holy name!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b