OUTLINE:

1 Th 2:4
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts

"What Is A Good Name?“ - Blog
"God is good. Man, on his own, is not and must be stripped of the latter notion and given wisdom to know the prior. Such is sanctification in Christ’s good name."

We, as believers, as those who have turned to Christ in humble, repentant faith, must never confuse goodness in our lives as belonging to ourselves.

The World Sees Our Choices
Self-righteousness discredits the Lord’s good name. To God be the glory, amen (2Pe 3:18).

A Question To Ponder
WHY is anyone self-righteous, even as a believer in the Lord?

A Believer’s Error
Self-righteousness is “speaking the language of the world”. The world economy of creature-credit is wholly dependent on self-righteousness. When a known believer decides to compete at that level, the message we are sending is that we are phonies.

Man's flesh, which includes his relative goodness, is worthless in God's eyes.

We are NOTHING MORE than "vessels of mercy", and when we forget that, we are in for a rough ride in life!
Pr 11:2,16:17,18:12, Is 2:11-12, Mt 23:12, Ro 9

Mt 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Pr 26:12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

A Curse Of Our Sinful Flesh
We often conveniently forget where we came from so we can try to take some credit with God.

Where Did We Come From?!
- All men are born in sin. Ro 5:12
- There is no soundness in us! Is 1:6
- Man's heart without Christ is desperately sick and deceitful (who can understand it?!) Jer 17:9

Understanding our total depravity opens our eyes to appreciate and love God more and more for having mercy on us!