Righteousness

wondered how often, we, knowing what's right and whats wrong, become quick to judge, criticize, pinpoint, correct and become cynical, overtime become sensitive to every little errs. all this denotes from the righteousness within us. this is equivalent to what's called "self-righteousness".
i still rem when i jus became a christian over a decade ago. it seemed that my world suddenly had "rules" governing it. suddenly, you become aware of the DOs and DONTs. things that weren't right, you wanna attest to the new-found faith, to do what's right. then i began to push what i believed to others. as i began to abstain, i expected people closed to me to move in the same direction. it was so wrong and foolish. i began to criticize and become cynical especially of what my parents and my closed friends did. i would "preach" to them and enter into arguments because of differing views and perspectives. sadly, one would know that these bonds began cracking...

Matt 5 teaches us the beattitudes which are attitudes we should have as we progress in our christian walk. in Verses 6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled" where the corresponding verse 20, "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." whereby to enter heaven, we gotta seek righteousness, and yet, pastor Tan pointed out in verse 7, "Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy." why?

later as you read on, jesus reiterated that he came not to abolish the laws of moses but to establish it. in order to, with these laws serving to govern us from the right and wrongs, it is through our mercy towards others that will determining one's righteousness. so often, we become quite to judge and correct but without being gracious. we jump at the fact especially when we're wronged instead of giving others the benefit of doubt and be gracious. once again, our righteousness is expressed through our mercy, not through exercising justice.

as i go through the book of wisdom (Proverbs), i feel extremely blessed again and again because, indeed, as we heart wisdom, it will surely heart to us.
Prov 11:12-13 "He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."
Prov 17:9 "he who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends."
-these verses served as a reminder for me to always be gracious. during the Asia Conference, pastor kong reminded us that a leader is accepting even when his/her people makes wrong decisions. and John C.Maxwell writes that," a good leader is gracious, gives people the benefit of doubts."

Even said, time and time again, despite having the knowledge/understanding, we slip into the wrong side of the river and commit the same old mistakes because we're human after all. and yet, it will become an asset as we keep reminding ourselves and best of all, always practising what we learn. it definitely takes 3 months to cultivate a good habit and 3 days to learn a bad one. i was speaking to a confide and as he began explaining to me about something in having grace even if the other party is of significance, it still vivid in my mind that i rebuffed that very idealogy not because i was stubborn, but because when we allow emotions and other factors (despite we being right) to make that decision. it was hard, i would say, impregnable fotress in me? the next day, i was convicted not because i was right, but because god asked me to try to be gracious even all is lost. i guess it is easy to forgive when others are not so close but when it is within our boundaries, it gets harder and harder and what's more, when its someone you look up to and respect. fresh in my mind, after tat very conversation, i texted my confide saying, " sadly, im not *** but a ***, im not that gracious." and a reply," :) ".

like pastor spoke, so often, in today's web 2.0, people are trying so hard to change the world or their world behind a screen. i simply love it when pastor says," i change the world by holding someone's hands and looking to them in the eye." technology enhancements can cripple us if we're not cautious. i always remember telling my bestie that if i want to help you, i will not text or call you but i would want to meet you so i can see your body language and at the same time, you can see mine and know if im doing this in love or simply out of duty....