Self-Righteousness

"For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." - Romans 10:3 [Self-righteousness is an obstacle to the gospel, which insists that true righteousness can only be found in Jesus Christ.]

"...be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."- Phil 3:9

“We shall never be clothed with the righteousness of Christ except we first know assuredly that we have no righteousness of our own.”
- John Calvin

"What does it costs to be a true Christian? it will cost him his self-righteousness. He must cast away all pride and high thoughts, and conceit of his own goodness. He must be content to go to heaven as a poor sinner, saved only by free grace, and owing all to the merit and righteousness of another." J. C. Ryle, What it Costs to Be a True Christian

"What is the true cause of self-righteousness? How is it that such a poor, weak, erring creature as man can ever dream of deserving anything at God's hands? It all arises from ignorance. The eyes of our understandings are naturally blinded. We see neither ourselves, nor our lives, nor God, nor the law of God, as we ought. Once let the light of grace shine into a man's heart, and the reign of self-righteousness is over. The roots of pride may remain, and often put forth bitter shoots. But the reign of pride is broken when the Spirit comes into the heart, and shows the man himself and God. The true Christian will never trust in his own goodness. He will say with Paul, "I am the chief of sinners." (1 Tim. 1:15) "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Gal. 6:14.) - J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke volume 2

"Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines, as well as upon works"
- John Newton

“The deceitfulness of the heart of man appears in no one thing so much as this of spiritual pride and self-righteousness."
- Jonathan Edwards

"The irreligious don't repent at all and the religious only repent of sins. But Christians repent of their wrongfully placed righteousness."
- Timothy Keller

If I think I am better than my neighbor, or more moral, and therefore, by extension, somehow more deserving, then I have forgotten that it was mercy alone which saved me and mercy alone which keeps me there. Thus the more grounded we are in this knowledge, the easier it is for us to maintain humility among our neighbors, regardless of how depraved we may be tempted to think they are...."
- John Hendryx

"Whoever relies on his own goodness for salvation will surely perish."
- William S. Plumer

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RELATED TOPICS: Legalism, Pride & Humility, Imputation