Scripture – “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
Luke 18:9-14 NIV
Observation – Jesus tells a parable about two men who went up to the temple to pray. One thanked God because he thought God made him better than other people, especially the tax collector praying next to him. The other asked God to have mercy on him because he knew that he had sinned against God and others. Jesus said that the second man went home in good standing with God.
Application – When God blesses you by revealing himself to you, convicting you of your sin and providing salvation through Jesus will you boast about your new life or will you humbling accept God’s mercy and try and help others receive the gift of salvation? When you hear yourself talking about you a lot stop and turn the spotlight on Jesus.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, I pray for humility for me and all believers that we would always remember that you lifted us out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, set our feet on a rock and gave us a firm place to stand. We didn’t do this, you drew us to yourself. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 