They judged Jesus worthy of murder after an illegal trial. They traded Him for a terrorist. They put a rush order on His crucifixion so that they could be clean in time for religious supper. Compounding their error they honestly believed that their guilty hands were clean.

As to the letter of the Law, though, they could possibly be seen as blameless. Remember, Paul who was a very zealous Jew, a Pharisee of Pharisees, never missing synagogue on the Sabbath (Phil 3:5-6)—was the same one who stood by holding coats while an innocent man was stoned to death (Acts 7:58). You couldn’t bring a charge against the man regarding his religion but according to Jesus’ clarification of the Law (Matt 5:48) he had much to answer for.

So surpassing the Pharisaic righteousness is getting past the exterior adherence to righteousness. It is that actual perfect righteousness that is in the Father—making it downright impossible.

Paul would unabashedly point to this surpassing righteousness obviously beyond man’s ability. Before an enemy of God and now, on the basis of faith, Paul was grateful that the righteousness from God would let him know Christ—from death, to resurrection to fellowship in his suffering and finally being conformed. Yet Paul acknowledged that he hasn’t attained at that point. He wasn’t perfect but he pressed on towards that goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:10-14).

So this righteousness is an internal righteousness made available by an external source, which is God by Christ through faith. Not only that, it’s a perfect righteousness that will be complete in a later date.

James furthers this thinking. It’s not that a Christian is to throw up his hands and say, “I’m merely looking through a fuzzy mirror—perfection is to come, so I give up.” Rather the Christian, like Paul, must lay hold of that which Christ has made available and press towards it. James would have us look at that perfection as a mature uprightness consisting of constancy.

Note his emphasis: Let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete (James 1:4); God gives perfect gifts and this is put in contrast to the personal lusts which conceive sin (James 1:15, 16); one is to look into the perfect law and become a doer and not merely a hearer (James 1:23-26); perfected faith produces works (James 2:22); a man who doesn’t stumble in what he says is a perfect man able to bridle his body as well as his mouth ({[James 3:2}}).

Now here’s the connection where the Pharisees would have faltered at (James 1:26-27): if anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet doesn’t bother bridling his tongue but deceives his own heart—his religion is worthless.

Look at them, proud in their righteousness, cloaked in their exterior religion thanking God that they’re not like this or that sinner—is it possible for a believer to do the same? Apparently James does since he launches into this bit right after discussing a person who looks into a mirror and ignores what’s there before going merrily on their way. James would have us understand that the perfect law of liberty doesn’t merely reflect what we’re doing it reflects who we are…so fix yourself up!

Take care with looking at Scriptures and saying “Oh, I need to be more hospitable—better invite some people over” or “I’m to love my brothers and sisters—better bake a cake.” Yes, we’re to be active but we’re also to let that exposure by God’s word affect our hearts. If not, it is frighteningly easy to settle into Pharisaic righteousness by looking at all we’re doing and ignoring our secret attitudes that need to be brought under subjection as well (2 Cor 10:5).

It’s too easy to be cloaked in religion and deceive ourselves. Reading the Bible every day, inviting folk over, visiting the sick, preaching every other Sunday or leading the women in devotions, teaching the younger sisters, clothed modestly—all while envying that brother’s preaching or that sister’s cooking or outright hating this brother or that sister. Frighteningly easy to stand tall and tear up your brother (or sister) because of some supposed Christian failing while being driven by anger or self-seeking.

There was a certain Shechem, drawn away by his passions; he forced Jacob’s daughter to lay with him. Feeling remorse, he spoke gently to Dinah then asked his father to acquire her as a wife. Failing to come up with some marriage gift to give the family he offered them anything. Simeon and Levi devoutly told the young man and his father that they would never give their sister to uncircumcised men. Only people who submitted to their way of life, who were circumcised would be allowed to marry their sister.

I can almost see Jacob in complete agreement and amazed at his sons’ uprightness while excitedly explaining the meaning of circumcision.

Shechem not only submitted to be circumcised but also spoke to the local authorities to get the city to do the same. A city of gentiles, seeing the benefit of being joined with Israel’s family, agreed to take the symbol of their covenant.  And in that moment of collective weakness, where all the men lay recovering from the operation, Simeon and Levi entered into the city and slew all the men, took back their sister, looted every house of wealth, woman and child. When Israel saw them he cried out that they have made his name to stink in the land (Gen 34).

Their response showed no remorse, but in their embraced anger they stood and piously scorned the slain “Should he treat our sister like a whore?”

James highlights many of these religious pitfalls.  Holding an attitude (not action) of partiality while holding faith in Jesus (Jas 2:1). Adhering to justification by faith while ignoring perfecting action (Jas 2:14-26). Teaching without changing and ignoring the burden of a greater judgment (Jas 3:1). Blessing God while cursing men who are in the image of God (Jas 3:9). Friendship with the world while a friend of God (Jas 4:4). Judging a brother and the law while supposedly being a doer of the law (Jas 4:11).

Jesus exhorted that a person’s righteousness should surpass that of the Pharisees not only in action, but also in thought—impossible. Paul points that we will never be perfect until a later day but we are to continue towards that mark—made possible by God. James shows us the pitfalls and tells us how to get around them—especially if we say we are of God.

-r-

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