On a number of occasions a frequent critique made both of myself and others who are attempting to do the same work as I is one that we are “self-righteous”.
Now let me clarify this with a reiteration of this responsibility I am called to bear. My duty is to help those in suffering, to help the weak, to bear the grief and pain of others, and most importantly to teach and spread to gospel of Christ. The gospel of Christ is primarily a call to repentance. Now this by its very nature does mean that ofimes I have to address matters. It means that I must at times point out when things are leading people away from God rather than towards him.
I will relate a story which is absolutely true. I know a young man who has had powerful spiritual experiences and has been called like myself to spread the gospel of Christ. And for time he seemed to be striving for the same kind of work and even seemed to have a great deal of success in helping others. . Unfortunately as is often the case this individual attempted to mingle the things of the world with the things of God. He began pursuing business ventures and acquiring wealth. And began encouraging others to do likewise. Out of concern both for himself and the possible damage that he could do to others I began asking him questions. These questions were directed of course to cause him to check his own motives and to help him see where this course will lead. Unfortunately he began justifying himself in his actions, claiming that he has always been poor. That the Lord has required him to go without, so that he could learn the lessons of being poor. Then he told me that in this stage of his life the Lord desires him to enjoy a little wealth. He claimed the Lord instructed him in how to invest his money in order to obtain more money.
I pointed out that this was inconsistent with the teachings found in the Scriptures and with the teachings I have received from beyond the veil. To this he replied that was just my perspective, which was a result of my traditions and upbringing and that there was nothing wrong in obtaining a little wealth. . And he laid down the typical charge that I was being self righteous.
I do not claim to be better than anyone else. I do not claim to be perfect. I do not claim to be worthy. I am filled with weakness. I am as much in need of repentance and forgiveness as anyone.
Here is the lesson I am trying to teach. Whether I do right or wrong justification is not needed. If I do right I do right. The fruits of my actions will be good. If I do wrong I do wrong and the fruits of my actions will be evil. In either case I do not need to justify myself because the consequences will be the result of the action.
In the case of this friend the results of his actions are that he and his followers are actually moving away from God. They are caught up in materialism, and they may not realize it, but they have begun persecuting those who are not doing the same as they are. They are spending less of their time and effort in repentance and more of their time and effort in getting gain.
This saddens me. My goal is not to make myself look better. My goal is not to say I’m right. My goal is not to make an example of others to make myself look good or impress anyone. I don’t need to. This is my point. We don’t need to justify our actions. We need to do right.
