It has been said that righteousness without tears is arrogance.
Joe Battaglia, “The Politically Incorrect Jesus” devotional plan
We all want to be righteous, right? We want to look good, do good, be good. We want people to see Jesus in us, see that we’re different, that we’re saved.
But righteousness without tears is arrogance.
So let the world see your righteousness, your good works, your clean living, your blood-washed soul saved by grace. . . but let them also see your tears of compassion, of longing to see them saved, of sorrow over sin (theirs and yours), of thankfulness, of worship.
Let them see your heart that bleeds and aches along with the Father’s over the sin and pain, but rejoices and sings over the repentance and healing.
Let them see your intercession, your pleading for their souls to turn to Him, and your joy and praise when one of them does.
Let them see your prayers, your dreams, your wishes–for them, for yourself, for all of God’s children.
Let them see you cry.
Because righteousness without tears is arrogance. And nobody likes arrogance. Nobody likes a stuck-up goody-goody-two-shoes.
And if they don’t see you–one of God’s people–care, then how will they see that God cares?
If they don’t see you–a follower of Christ–love, then how do you expect them to see God’s love?
If they don’t see you–a child of God–weep over lost souls, then how will they believe that God weeps over them?