He also told
this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and
regarded others with contempt.
Luke 18.9
The beautiful
story of the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble, repentant tax collector is
prefaced by this introduction.
It pulled me
up short when I read this today. The disease of self-righteousness is
widespread and insidious. It creeps into our thinking. We may acknowledge
ourselves to be sinners but we might then think or say, “Well, I’m not as
sinful as …….”
Sin is akin to
pregnancy. No woman can become partially pregnant, or a “little bit pregnant”.
Likewise, there is no partial sinner. We may not sin in every area of life, but
the slightest small sin brands us – and that is how it is!
There is,
however, a remedy, a way forward as the story recounts. The tax collector cries
out to God, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” God will be merciful. Jesus
assures us, “…all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v14)
I said the
early reading “pulled me up short”. What really got my attention was the phrase
some who trusted in themselves. I consider myself blessed, because I have
stuffed up so many times when I rely on me, that it is not difficult to trust in
God. What is a little harder, however, is to remind myself to trust in God IN
ALL THINGS! There are still things, many things that I think I can do in my own
strength. I don’t say I should stop doing, but simply trust Him in all I do, as
I go.
Loving God,
I
know Your way is best for me.
Teach
me to trust You.
Amen.
My book “God Talk” is available through major
Internet booksellers.
A taste of the book's content can be seen in
the You Tube clip
(Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").
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