Luke 18:10, Two men went up into the Temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. 11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus WITH HIMSELF. God, I thank You, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. 12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13. And the Publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one who exalts himself shall be abased; and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.
I think that had the Pharisee been alive today, most of us would have thought him to be a fine upstanding Christian. And indeed he himself would have undoubtedly thought the same thing.
I mean just look at how good of a person he was. He was not an extortioner: so you wouldn’t have to be concerned that he might try to take money dishonestly from you or cheat you out of something. He was a just man who obviously would be as fair as possible in his dealings with other people. He was not promiscuous and we could count on him not to commit adultery, or to be involved in licentious behavior.
He fasted twice a week and gave tithes on all that he possessed.
I am fairly certain that if this man was in one of our Churches today, the bulk of the congregation would believe him to be a model to be followed.
The Publicans of that day were tax collectors, and many thought of them as thieves. Whether or not they were, I really don’t know, but I’m sure that in their position it would have been easy to have been such.
One thing we can be sure of is that he was a sinner, for so are all. Realizing that he was a sinner and obviously being under conviction for his many sins.
And with humbleness of heart he could not even bring himself to lift his eyes toward Heaven as he prayed, God be merciful to me a sinner.
One important point to make here I believe is: all these good things which the Pharisee was doing, did not justify him before God. It is not possible for the doing of things to bring us a closer relationship with God(Romans 10:3, For they being ignorant of Gods Righteousness and GOING ABOUT to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God).
Our relationship to God is through Jesus Christ: PERIOD. Anything we do for the Lord is simply our reasonable service. We must never proclaim that we are good, justified, sanctified, or have any kind of righteousness because of things which we do. It’s all in Christ.
No matter what I do in respect to serving the Lord or doing His will as He leads me; I would rather be on my face before God; if not asking for mercy, then thanking Him for the mercy which he has showed me, rather than telling the Lord or people how many things I am doing for the Lord.
Romans 3:19, Now we know that what things soever the Law says, it says to them who are under the Law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20. Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.
21. But now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;
22. Even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them who believe:
