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where does self-righteousness come from?

real talk: where does self-righteousness come from? 

also: where do people base their morality on (i.e. what's right and what's wrong) if they do not believe in God?

where do we get off calling one person good and another evil? where do we get off pointing blame at others? where do we get off, judging everyone we don't agree with and collectively calling them awful for their actions? 

the gospel has stripped me of all these rights, so i really need to know. God's words said i have sinned against the holy God and fall short continuously every day of His glory, and this revelation basically says my motives, my intentions, my actions ought to be based on what God has done FOR ME. i forgive because i am forgiven, love because i am loved, show mercy because i have been shown mercy, give grace because through Christ, grace abounds in my life. 

so then...i want to know. 

a person without God: where do you get off being morally superior over others and preaching your goodness above everyone else's? 

that may sound like a very self-righteous superior question in itself, now that i listen to it. oddly enough, i also here Paul Washer saying it in his voice. HAHA. but i must ask it, because i'm legit curious. 

here i am, trying not to judge you because i know better, and in my saying i know better, i sound morally superior. superior, period. but also, righteous. 

my righteousness comes from Jesus Christ and in that alone, i boast. 

but how can you boast in your own ignorance, you who have decided no one else is righteous but you? 

to quote my own book: 

Aside from having the wrong beliefs, it’s so complicated to be a Christian and have your faith in a deity be the reason that you are ultimately subjected to constant public scrutiny, all because your belief tells people that you are morally greater than them. Doesn’t [name of character] realize that people will always want to undermine you, especially when you have a sign on your forehead saying, ‘I’m better than you because I believe in God and you don’t’?

Carlos Ruiz Zafón:

"Tell me what you boast of and I´ll tell you what you lack!"

and you lack Jesus.

i need God to open your eyes.

no amount of arguing with you will open them, i know. 

because transformation is a work of the Spirit. 

and so i proceed to fight in the spiritual realms as well.

and fight, i will.

because your soul is on the line. 

and it's your blood in my hands.

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