Luke 12:9:14, “And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves and that they were righteous and viewed others with contempt. ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself, “God, I thank thee that I am not like the other people, swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week, I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away was even unwilling to lift up his own eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted!” Do you understand this parable? This is a message for us to realize that when we begin to think we are righteous because of our deeds, we are trusting in ourselves, in our own actions for favor and salvation. Earlier in Matthew chapter 17:5-10 the apostles said to the Lord to increase their faith. Jesus told them “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and be planted in the sea and it would obey you. But which of you having a slave plowing or tending sheep will say to him when he comes in from the field, “Come immediately and sit down eat and drink?” But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat and properly clothe yourself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk; and afterward you will eat and drink?’ He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded does he? So, you too, when you do all the things which are commanded say ‘we are unworthy slaves, we have done only that which we ought to have done.” Be very careful not to exalt yourself because of what you do, lest you begin to trust in yourself. He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded. We must remember, all of us are unworthy sinners, who do what ought to be done as He commanded.
Leave a Reply