²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. ²¹ “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. ²² I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

²³ “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. ²⁴ I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”

Matthew 11:20-24

Dear God, this kind of brings me back to my thought several months ago about what it would be like to live in an area that was currently hostile towards you and Christianity. Right now, I live in an area where it is culturally preferred that I acknowledge faith in you. In fact, an open acknowledgment of lack of faith in you is scorned in my area of the world. But what if I were to move to an area like Portland, which I have heard described by some who have lived many places as the most liberal, Godless city in the United States? What would it do for my my relationship with you if I were in an environment where my faith was challenged more? What would it do for them if I was your light in their darkness?

There is something about self-righteousness that puts up a barrier between you and me that is seemingly more dangerous than if I were in full rebellion against you. At least in rebellion, I am able to see how I contrast with you and make a decision to embrace you instead of me. But in self-righteousness, I am setting myself up to be like you but, subtly, without a need for you.

This might seem like a different topic, but it’s kind of related. I heard someone describe a recent New York Times editorial by David French in which he talked about how dangerous it is for Christians to decide they have to be the ones in charge because they are the ones who are “right.” The problem becomes when those same Christians start to use the world’s methods to get their power. They start to manipulate. They start to compromise morality. They start to grasp for the power instead of simply waking up and grasping for you.

Father, it feels like this is what Jesus was condemning, and it is something that I want to be vigilant about in my own heart. I want to be repentant. I want to be holy. I want to love you well. I want to love others well. Help me to do that, Father. Help me to be wholly yours in every moment.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen