*The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. VIII. Luke 14:16-24.

A few years ago, I walked out of an elevator into a crowded lobby and ran face-to-face into a friend from college that I had not seen in years. Instantly, we both called out each other's names, began laughing and slapping each other on the shoulder and for the next hour recounted story after story of our past experiences. Finally, we got around to our careers. He went first-then me. When he realized my job had something to do with God, he got the 'deer-in-the-headlights' look in his eyes and I sensed that I was headed for his O.T.D.E. (Off The Deep End) group of people who go from normal to fanatic in life. He confirmed it as he went on to tell me that his old roommate, Bob, shaved his head, gave everything he owned to some religious group in exchange for a white robe and began selling roses at the airport. I was now in his O.T.D.E. group alongside Bob! Did I get upset? I probably would have if I hadn't understood why he did this. You see, I have a tendency to do the same thing.

Why do we put people in the O.T.D.E. category? Because that is where many belong. The category was created for religious zealots who became overly-righteous. Unfortunately, it causes many to hesitate to talk to others about their faith in God for fear they will be put in a category with a bunch of religious fanatics.

Enough about what people think: what does God say? Is it possible to be 'too righteous'? Some people may be surprised to know what Scripture says about this. In the seventh chapter of Ecclesiastes we read; Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 NIV)

God doesn't say it is wrong to go 'off the deep end', just that you will destroy yourself. Another caution is to be careful whose standards of righteousness we try to live up to. People who are not followers of Jesus Christ would still concede that He was a righteous man. Even so, Jesus didn't measure up to some of the standards set by the religious leaders of His day. He commented on this in Matthew's gospel: "' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."." (Matthew 11:18-19 NIV)

He said that overrighteous people who measure everyone else's righteousness against their own would never be satisfied. John was more righteous than they, so they said he was crazy: They accused Jesus-the most righteous man alive-of being a gluttonous drunk! Six chapters earlier Jesus said the Pharisees-the most righteous religious leaders of that day-would never have enough self-generated and self-regulated righteousness to reach heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20 NIV)

How can we have enough righteousness to meet God's standards without going off the deep end and becoming 'overrighteous'? The answer is not 'how much', but 'what kind'. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1 NIV)

First, drop the human righteousness…the idea of comparing your righteousness to others and demonstrating how righteous you are. They will simply say you're off the deep end. According to God, showing others how good we are is not His definition of righteousness. We obtain the right kind a different way. A few verses later we read: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

We don't earn righteousness by being better than everyone-or anyone-else. We ask God for it and accept it as a gift. Then, we learn to regard others and their righteousness from the proper perspective: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NIV)

The Apostle Paul hit the nail on the head when he told the church in Greece: We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV)

So! How can we keep people from putting us in the O.T.D.E. category because of our faith in God? We can't. But, we can endeavor to 'avoid all extremes' and do our part to deal a fatal blow to the O.T.D.E legend. And…don't get caught up in measuring the righteousness of others. You might become really good at it and make Mr. Flynt jealous.