Damnable Good Works

During my Indonesia trip, I realized more and more how often I do righteous acts with unrighteous motives. So many things have become my "righteousness". Good things that I do to make myself my own functional savior. Yet, these good deeds are often done begrudgingly or with improper motives. What are my motives concerning my acts of "righteousness"? I think of Paul's words regarding what should be the proper motive for all that we do...

Gal. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Paul also explains what actions done with improper motives are...

Rom. 14:23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

I'm not saying don't ever do anything if you have improper motives. Still do what you know is right. But when you do those things, repent over your wrong motives, and ask God to change them. Raise your expectations and seek to express your faith through love. Repent of your so called sin, as well as your so called righteousness. When put in this perspective, I believe we have a lot more repenting to do...Check your motives always...and thank God we're saved by grace!

"Irreligious people don't repent at all, and religious people repent only for their "sins." But Christians "repent of their righteousness." We need a deeper, more comprehensive repentance. We must recognize that the reasons for our righteous deeds have been the same as the reasons for our sins. We must admit that the other things besides God are operating as our functional trusts and joy, and that our main sin has been our efforts at self-salvation, at trying to be our own savior."

Tim Keller