Thursday, November 26 | The Heavy Burden of Self-Righteousness
Day 4: The Heavy Burden of Self-Righteousness
Reading: Matthew 23:1-12; Galatians 3:1-14
Many people carry the crushing weight of religious performance, trying to earn God's acceptance through their own goodness. This yoke is unbearable because God's standard is perfection. You might feel you're managing well, but you don't yet understand God's holiness. Or you feel the despair of constant failure—now you're beginning to understand. Either way, self-righteousness leads to exhaustion or despair. The Pharisees added rules upon rules, making the burden even heavier. But Jesus offers a different way. He doesn't lighten the load by lowering the standard; He carries the load Himself. Stop trying to be good enough. You can't be. Jesus already was. Rest in His finished work.
Reading: Matthew 23:1-12; Galatians 3:1-14
Many people carry the crushing weight of religious performance, trying to earn God's acceptance through their own goodness. This yoke is unbearable because God's standard is perfection. You might feel you're managing well, but you don't yet understand God's holiness. Or you feel the despair of constant failure—now you're beginning to understand. Either way, self-righteousness leads to exhaustion or despair. The Pharisees added rules upon rules, making the burden even heavier. But Jesus offers a different way. He doesn't lighten the load by lowering the standard; He carries the load Himself. Stop trying to be good enough. You can't be. Jesus already was. Rest in His finished work.