Pentecost 23 C: The Power of Being Justified
Dear Partner in Preaching,
What sets the two men described in today’s reading apart?
There are a variety of ways of answering this question. On the surface, we might observe that one of them is part of the religious establishment while the other is an outsider. Or we might notice that one is law-abiding while the other is not. (And here it’s important to acknowledge that the Pharisee isn’t boasting so much as he is simply describing accurately that he has done those things the law prescribes as proper.) Going a little deeper, we might similarly recognize that one prays from a sense of confidence while the other from desperation, or that one seems rather smug while the other is humble.
All of these observations are accurate and, indeed, are supported by the passage at hand. Yet I would describe the difference differently. I would say, also paying attention to the passage, that while one of these men is righteous, the other is justified.
What is the difference here and why does it matter?
To be righteous, according to the biblical witness, is to conform you life to the law. It is to achieve through diligent effort a life that reflects the tenets of the Torah and in this way remain in relationship with the Holy One of Israel. To be justified, however, is to be called and considered worthy and restored to right relationship with God by God’s own action rather than by our own.
Righteousness according to the law, I should first say, is a wonderful thing, the goal of so much of the instruction and exhortation of the Old Testament. But there are, nevertheless two challenges I see with the righteousness that comes through diligent observance of the law. The first is that it is very difficult for most of us to achieve. (Indeed, I am inclined to say impossible, but I know that is my own theological bias and that in the Old Testament there is the expectation, even confidence, that one can be righteous according to the law, and Luke writes from this perspective.) Yet it is still very difficult, and most of us, if we take the law seriously, will not only acknowledge that we fall short but may despair of our ability to be in right relationship with God through our own efforts.
Second, even if we are successful, there is the subtle but pernicious temptation to assess not only ourselves according to the law but all others. In this way, the law too easily is transfigured from a device intended to help one’s neighbor to a standard by which to judge one’s neighbor. This is, I think, what we see in the Pharisee’s prayer. He is keenly aware of the differences between himself and his neighbors and uses that difference to distance himself from them. They are no longer neighbors or fellow citizens, let alone children of the same God, but rather “other people.” Righteousness, from this point of view, all too often devolves quickly into self-righteousness and cuts us off from true relationship with those God has given as brothers and sisters.
To be justified, however, is entirely different. Justification, in contrast to righteousness, does not depend on our own efforts and, indeed, has nothing to do with them. We can take neither credit nor responsibility for our standing before God yet recognize that we are recipients of a profound gift. Looking around us, we see all others in a similar vein, people that God has created and loves and out of love has also justified.
Love, in fact, is the key to understanding justification. Think about it: we do not remain in relationship with people based on their perfect behavior but rather out of love. (And let’s not forget that those most important to us also remain in relationship with us despite our many shortcomings.) Love and forgiveness – these are the key elements of justification because they initiate and maintain relationship.
While this distinction between righteousness and justification is important theologically, I think it is far more important in terms of our everyday life. We have many, many people working hard to be righteous – that is, to do well in their various responsibilities as parents, employees, friends, children, church members, citizens, volunteers, and more. And that is all to the good. But it is so vitally important to remind them that their worth does not depend on their accomplishments! They are beloved children of God and of infinite worth to God and are free to do their best in their variety of responsibilities not in order to deserve God’s love but because they already have it.
Moreover, when you recognize you are justified you receive all of life back as a gift to be treasured rather than a goal to be accomplished. Think of the difference of seeing everything around you not as something to be earned, achieved, or protected but rather to be received as a free gift, delighted in, and shared with joy and abandon. Self-worth, dignity, purpose, and most especially the people around you – all these are gifts God gives as our adoring parent. And the people around us are, particularly, seen as precious children of God who are simultaneously recipients of God’s favor and love and deserving of our respect and care as well. In light of God’s penchant to “justify the ungodly,” to quote Paul, there is no “other,” as all differences between us pale in comparison to the recognition that we are kindred recipients of the love and grace of the eternal God.
The children’s story Old Turtle and the Broken Truth gets at this nicely. In it, the truth of the universe comes to earth but on its way is broken in two. One half – that we are special and deserve to be loved – gives strength and happiness but over time leads to arrogance and disregard for others. Only when we discover the other half – that so also all others are also special and deserve to be loved – can we live into the peace and goodness of the universe (and, we would add, of God!). This is the heart of justification, the empowering word that frees us from insecurity and despair and then frees us again to share that same good news and love of God with others. And for this reason, recognizing that we are justified has the capacity to provide our central identity and to illumine all our decisions and choices, particularly regarding those around us.
If there is one difficulty about justification, it is that it runs so contrary to our cultural impulse to stress the need to justify ourselves via our accomplishments, wealth, youth, or possessions. What use, we might ask, is justification to the self-made man or woman our culture valorizes? But perhaps that is why there is so much anguish. Because the goal of being self-made, self-sufficient, and impervious to need is a myth, even a lie, one that is a crushing burden to carry and is routinely exposed by any illness or loss. We are dependent, vulnerable, finite creatures and as difficult or painful as that may seem to admit, the moment we do – perhaps at times in a flash of desperate insight not unlike the tax-collectors’ – we are freed from the burden of self-justification, see ourselves as beloved of God and recipients of an amazing gift, and sent forth to love and care for all those around us.
Two men went to the Temple. One went up and returned righteous – and there is something to admire about that – but the other returned justified, and in the face of justification all we can do is give thanks. Many of our people will come to and leave church righteous according to the standards of the culture. But how many will leave justified, aware that what matters is not what they have done or may do but what God has done for them in Jesus Christ? This is where you come in, Dear Partner, as you have been entrusted with the justifying word of grace and redemption that we know in Jesus. Thank you for proclaiming it with creativity, conviction, and passion. It is truly a word that changes lives.
Yours in Christ,
David
Thank you, David, for this article! I’ve been on the trail of “righteous” and “justified” in my head for most of this week and – as is often the case – your brain and keyboard have marked the trail ahead for me. Blessings!
David, I really appreciate the distinction between righteousness and justification that you propose here. It seems that righteousness can become self-righteous arrogance. But I also think society tells people they are righteous or unrighteous. Justification is given to those who see themselves as unrighteous and yet seek God. Repentance plays a big part in Luke’s gospel of salvation for all.
Nicely said, Matthew!
And yet cannot the one who is righteous by one’s own actions still be justified by God…?
Absolutely. Perhaps the temptation/challenge is that when we are aware and confident of our own righteousness, we may have a hard time understanding why we’d need to be justified. Indeed, the offer of justification might even be offensive: “What, me? I’m righteous already, thank you very much.”
I would add that trying to be religiously righteous divides people, whereas justification (by God) tends to do the opposite…it unites those who recognize it and accept it.
Personally, I feel more secure with God doing the doing…
That is indeed both the hope and comfort of the Gospel.
David, Great insight…like you have said in the past – justification is offensive. Here is a poetic take on the parable:
Juxtaposition
Rock:
‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people:
thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’
Paper:
‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Scissors:
I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other.
Rock breaks scissors.
Paper covers Rock.
Scissors cuts paper.
Kenn Storck
Nicely done. I see also shades of Luke 12 and building “barns” for ourselves in a life and death understanding of God’s mercy. Like the rich fool whose new barns meant nothing when his “life was required of him,” our storehouse of good deeds is meaningless. Repentance is not becoming righteous but learning dependence on grace undeserved and unmerited.
The tight connection to the “unjust judge” parable extends that repentance is also seeing a just God who hears our call for justice in creation… just as we seek the justice of life given in the cross.