The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed (to himself) thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off,would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Here is another illustration that Jesus made to show that being righteous is not about making a show of what one has done (either for the Lord or for himself).
Today, people who still do this are labeled as Pharisees. Remember, Jesus said He did not come for the healthy, but for those who are sick, and all those who otherwise needs Him.
Those who do things out of "religious" obligations, or for show or for whatever personal gain or agenda are nothing but Pharisees.
And in the gospels, Jesus sought and saved and healed everyone else, the sick, the sinners, the poor, everyone, except those who trusted in their own abilities or even those who trusted in their own wealth.
Everyday, our goal is always to 'stay away from sin and lead not others to temptation', our prayer is always 'not by my own strength and abilities but by yours my Lord' and our attitude being always 'be merciful to me, a sinner' -- for the Lord resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
"He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble." Proverbs 3:34 GNT
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed (to himself) thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off,would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Here is another illustration that Jesus made to show that being righteous is not about making a show of what one has done (either for the Lord or for himself).
Today, people who still do this are labeled as Pharisees. Remember, Jesus said He did not come for the healthy, but for those who are sick, and all those who otherwise needs Him.
Those who do things out of "religious" obligations, or for show or for whatever personal gain or agenda are nothing but Pharisees.
And in the gospels, Jesus sought and saved and healed everyone else, the sick, the sinners, the poor, everyone, except those who trusted in their own abilities or even those who trusted in their own wealth.
Everyday, our goal is always to 'stay away from sin and lead not others to temptation', our prayer is always 'not by my own strength and abilities but by yours my Lord' and our attitude being always 'be merciful to me, a sinner' -- for the Lord resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
"He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble." Proverbs 3:34 GNT
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