Have you ever heard or used the term “righteous indignation” to rationalize seemingly harsh and/or bizarre behaviors? From the Crusades and Jihads to social ethics and ethnic cleansings….the righteous and their indignation have been there. Only problem is righteousness is often interchanged with self-righteousness and that can be lethal.
Righteousness rings of something being pure and morally correct, but by whose morals and standards? Indignation brings to mind an emotion invoked by a perceived injustice, a feeling. Feelings are subject to change and influenced by perspective. Which brings me back to that question of what is the moral standard that is the basis of our righteous feelings?
Romans 3:10 states: ”As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one”. Doesn’t leave much wiggle room does it? How can one have righteous indignation, if we are incapable of being righteous? Romans 3:22 goes on to say: “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Now I believe and have faith in Christ, albeit not enough…my self-righteousness gets in the way.
Feeling my way, RT
R.T. searcher, seeker, sojourner. Not all who wander are lost, maybe temporarily disoriented, but not lost.
