Nearly everyone is familiar with the phrase "holier than thou". It describes someone who believes that because they are a Christian, they are somehow superior to other people. Some would incorrectly stereotype all Christians as "holier than thou". However, most stereotypes have some basis in reality, and if you know many Christians at all you have met some who actually believe they are "holier than thou". Is such arrogance justified? There is only one place to find the answer: the Bible.
Consider the following passages: "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:21-24) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death, there is no hope of salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ, "only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire" (Hebrews 10:27) Therefore, any righteousness we have is not our own, it is God's gift - his only son who died on the cross - who is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith." (Romans 3:27) No Christian should be arrogant, but rather humble and acutely aware of how lost he would be without the gift that God has freely given him.
