You’ve “become self-righteousness and holier than thou these days…”

From Chaplain Bill, I’m just an ordinary sinner, saved and changed by an extraordinary Savior. What I’m about to share is not politically correct, but it is Biblically correct.

Yesterday I received a personal message from a Facebook friend that I’ve personally known for a while now. For the record I’m all for Biblical instruction, reproof, correction, rebuke, and discipline. Specifically either coming from the leadership at my local church (that I submit under). Or regarding IPOC matters, from my board of directors (or from both).

But occasionally the Lord puts other people in my life to give constructive criticism, correction, and/or advice. And I have many evangelist friends that have been useful in this area (as we hold each other accountable), and I am very thankful for them. But sadly ‘not so much’ the case with my aforementioned Facebook friend.

She seemed to have a need to wrongfully tell me that I have “become self-righteousness and holier than thou these days…” (I quoted her to the best of my recollection). She seemed to be offended that I often say yes to Christ, and no to sin.

Those words “self-righteous” and “holier than thou” are strong words, and serious accusations. But often times Satan, false converts, the non-saved, and/or the lukewarm will use those words against the brethren; as a distraction device, or as a smoke screen.

I have learned that when you get a Facebook message like this. First and foremost we should do a checkup from the neck up; and see if the accuser might be correct. And if so, we must repent. But in doing so, I have also learned to examine their own Facebook wall, which can be a truthful witness and testimony, as to the state of their own heart and walk.

After examining her posts, it seems that she ‘might’ have drifted away from the Lord. And when I did see posts that might appear ‘Christian related’, they were problematic.

Those many posts consisted of two different ‘Christian’ music artists, and their worship bands. Both of which interject false teachings, both are very worldly and sensual. The more popular band has unbiblically allowed homosexuals on one of their ‘churches’ worship teams. And collectively, they have affirmed homosexual marriage; as well as the false teaching known as Christlam.

A Christian must oppose all forms of sexually immorality, both gay and straight (emphasis added on straight). Especially those that ‘profess’ to be Christians (as I recently rebuked and counseled a fornicating heterosexual couple that were visiting our church).

Because the most loving thing we (the Christian) can do is warn them, not accept nor acquiesce to their sinfulness. A Christian is ‘in sin,’ and guilty of the same, if they accept, approve, acquiesce to; and/or congratulate them, or celebrate their sins. To do the latter is an affront to a holy God. Furthermore, if my aforementioned Facebook friend, or any professed Christian, willingly and knowingly continues to sit under unbiblical teachings, or unbiblical ‘Christian’ music; that says a lot about their character.

In the context of Biblical love. Christians are not to have fellowship with any willful continued sinfulness or darkness, but rather we are to expose them (Ephesians 5:1-21). Nor are we to be friends with the non-saved world (James 4:4-5, 1 John 2:15-17). My non-saved friends are not in a state of friendship with me (so to speak). Though I love them dearly, they are a portion of my ministry outreach.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).

A Biblical love will abhor all sin and immorality, as I repented and came to abhor my own former heterosexual sins. The Lords church must refrain from this unbiblical love (aka sloppy agapé), and this unbiblical grace (aka greasy grace).

When I attempted to bring this to my Facebook friend’s attention, she became angrier. At that time I realized that I should not be engaging in this conversation with her, and that it would be more appropriate to further my communication with her husband. She then replied something to the effect “I have no husband, I’m now divorced!” But after she continued to tell me off, she blocked me.

What I just explained is a common occurrence in the anonymousness of today’s social media. But when we experience this with those that we personally know and love, it hurts, as we mourn.

Friends – when a person becomes saved, the supernatural process of sanctification will begin, and it will continue. Repentance will (must) also occur because of that salvation. Repentance is not the ‘cause’ of salvation, repentance is ‘because’ of salvation. And yes, their new lifestyle will be radically changed to a life of ‘holiness’ and ‘righteousness.’ But a Christians ‘righteousness’ and ‘holiness’ is not ours, it is His.

The following is just a few of dozens of other Scriptures that address those two words (righteous and holy).

John warned those that profess to be Christians in 1 John 3:4-9, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in Him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 is known as ‘The Great Exchange.’ “He [God] made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).

A truly born-again Christian becomes holy, and strives for holiness; but only because HE (God) is Holy.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).

There are professing Christians that are either stagnate (lukewarm), or that are slipping backwards. If they become broken and contrite, there’s a good chance that they are His, and will soon repent. But if they are hostile to those that are desirous of His holiness, and His righteousness; then they were most likely not saved to begin with.

Since the Apostle Paul used strong words like “Do not be ‘ignorant’ brethren.” Then perhaps it would be appropriate for me to say “Don’t be an idiot.” Or “check your idiot lights” as the dashboard lighting displays above.

As Paul said, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Remember that Jesus warned the lukewarm that He will vomit, throw-up, or puke-out the lukewarm. Folks that’s is not a salvific demonstration.

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Lastly, the only righteousness that I have is His, and the only holiness I have is His. Born-again Christians will experience and manifest the doctrines of regeneration and sanctification. They will become set apart and different from the non-saved world. They will become peculiar, strange, different, or aliens to the non-saved.

Below are two videos I made that address these issues. The first warns that many professed Christians will have another Jesus and another Gospel, that is not the Jesus (or Gospel) of the Bible. The second video explains what some of the ‘evidences of salvation’ are.

As always – Ye must be born again. Repent – be salt and light – be holy – be sanctified – fear God – pray without ceasing – keep His commandments – walk circumspectly – believe in and trust Jesus – obey the Gospel – share the Gospel – preach the Gospel – contend for the faith, – hate the things that God hates, and love the things that God loves – keep the faith, work-out your salvation, and endure to the end!

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).

To know more about salvation, please click here.

Video 1 (the unbiblical Jesus)

Video 2 (some evidence of salvation)