Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Luke 18:9-14 Lord, I thank you I am not like others . . . Lord be merciful to me a sinner.
HOW DO I THANK THEE?
Basically, there are two ways in which human beings attempt to approach God. Most naturally choose to approach Him on the basis of their own righteousness, while others (by the grace of God) come unto Him clothed only in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Jesus, our master Teacher, used a religious leader of His day (a Pharisee) to exemplify the former and a tax collector (a publican) to represent the latter. Both men are pictured by our Savior as being in dead earnest about their religion. And since Jesus said that one was justified and the other was not, then we certainly know that sincerity in religion is not sufficient. Some are sincere in their being faithful, but their faith does not lay hold of the merits of Jesus Christ, so they are simply religious, while being far removed from true Christianity.
The Pharisee thought he was so great, yet he was nothing! In fact, he was enslaved to self, so enslaved that he could not truly love God or his neighbor. While the publican thought he was nothing, yet he was great in the kingdom of God.
The Pharisee saw himself as loving God and others because he thought he was doing what the Law required, keeping his religion pure and undefiled. While the publican admitted that he could not love God nor his neighbor as he ought, yet he fully trusted in Christ who would love both perfectly for him.
Thus, the perfect, sinless life lived by the Savior was reckoned to this poor, hated publican through faith. Covered by the righteousness of Christ, the publican and we are children of God and heirs of everlasting life.
We are therefore FREE -- free to love and serve our God and our fellow men. Rather than looking down upon others because they do not meet certain requirements, we will see all people as sinners in need of salvation and as people for whom Christ lived and died. And we shall readily reach out loving hearts and hands to help them in the time of their every need.
This Thanksgiving and always, let us be thankful for all our blessings, but above all, let us thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ, boasting not of ourselves, but of His grace alone.
