American Idol, NBA playoffs and Self (made) righteousness

Watching American Idol finals...NBA playoffs...all the political primaries... and then this verse Luke 16.15 "What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God." And i was feeling so justified in condemning the values of the world we live in. Felt very good to do that - very satisfied and smug...

Until I read the first part of the verse: "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts." And then i didn't feel so smug. I felt a healthy sense of shame for my self righteous attitude and for the sin of self-made righteousness that can be so prevalant in my life and in our culture. People doing all kinds of good things to make themselves righteous, especially when compared to others less righteous. I'm tempted to list out people like this, names so many would recognize, except that then I fall right into that self righteous attitude and the action of making myself righteous before God by what I do.

And in the midst of all this, I came across a great song by a guy named Keith Green - a pioneer in Christian music in the 70s and 80s. He used his gifts to speak prophetically to believers in Jesus. The song is Grace By Which I Stand. The song preaches the message that nothing lasts except the grace of God by which we stand in Jesus.

And once again, I'm brought back to the cross and the amazing truth of God's unfathomable grace. And that I don't have a chance with God except for the grace he extends to me in Jesus. His grace covers everything. His grace saves me from myself - and my self (made) righteousness- unless I hold onto it. Then God's grace is diminished and without any effect in my life.

And that's why Jesus says that what the world values is detestable in the sight of God. Because when i value my self-made righteousness, I disrespect and diminish the grace of God in Jesus. I want to live with Biblical passion and focus in my life: "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified and the world's interest in me has also died."