4GIVEN

In Luke 18:9-14 we learn about the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. At the end of the day Jesus illuminates the fact that God exalts the humble. I think it is important to note that Jesus was speaking to the very people used as characters in this parable. You see, our Christian walk should be lived in the spirit of humility. Watch this in vv 11-13 the Pharisee essentially brags to himself whereas in contrast the Tax Collector begs for mercy. If we are truly broken-hearted over our sin, we can be assured of God’s boundless love and forgiveness in Christ. He has promised in His word to accept us, love us, and make us alive again through His Son (Colossians 2:13). No amount of good works, church attendance, tithes, community service, loving our neighbor or anything else we do is sufficient to take away the blot of sin and enable us to stand before a holy God on our own. Remember in Ephesians 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works. It behooves us not to make the mistake of comparing ourselves with others and gaining confidence from what we see in that comparison. Michael Houdmann said in his commentary of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, “When we try to justify ourselves by comparing ourselves to others, we naturally end up despising them. Our standard for comparison is God Himself, and we all fall short of His glory(Romans 3:23).” The Pharisee thought he knew God and the Tax Collector was seeking God out of a contrite heart. When David realized that his heart wasn’t right he sadly laments in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, oh, God, and renew Your right Spirit within me.” We should ask God everyday to cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits.