Follow the Right Example

Luke 18

I always get a hoot out of the parable of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.  When I picture it in my mind’s eye I can’t believe the gall of the Pharisee.  It’s one thing to mention the extortioner, the unjust, and the adulterers, but to call out the tax collector right next to him is a tad on the obnoxious side, don’t you think?  Hopefully none of us pray that way but I wonder if we sometimes play a similar comparison game.  If we do, who are we comparing ourselves to?  You may figure you’ve lived a good life, paid your taxes, given to charities, worked hard at your job and raised your kids as best you can, so you might think you compare quite well to others who haven’t done the same.  The problem with that thinking is that God isn’t concerned with how we measure up to the rest of a fallen world.  He’s concerned with how we measure up to Him.  To put it quite simply, we don’t.  Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  So maybe you haven’t murdered, or done drugs, or given your body to prostitution, or stolen merchandise, or beat someone up, or committed adultery. Good for you, but you’re still a sinner.  I’m sure you’ve still envied, gossiped, told lies, coveted, been prideful, lusted, and in general fallen short of God’s standard. 

Thankfully things are not as hopeless as they may sound.  To quote Jesus a bit later in our chapter when speaking to the rich ruler, what is impossible with men is possible with God.  God through His son Jesus Christ declares us righteous not because of anything we do but because of what Jesus has done.  He was the perfect sacrifice who paid the price for our sins.  All we need to do is accept this truth and choose to live our lives for Him.  In so doing, like the tax collector, our sins are forgiven and abundant and eternal life is given.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for the example You have given; not of the self-righteous Pharisee, but of the tax collector, a humbled repentant sinner.  Thank you for forgiving my sins, whether big or small, Your Son’s death covered them all.  Amen.