Gospel

Justified and Exalted

by Roland Crim
04/27/17
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To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14 NIV

God does not need us to tell Him anything which we have done which is pleasing in His eyes. Do you not know that He sees all? There is nothing we can do to pay for our salvation, for the many gifts which God gives to us. Christ paid for our salvation. He paid the price which we could not pay. He did it lovingly. He did it of His own free will.

Knowing that we are sinful by birth, and needed a Savior, we should approach God in prayer with a humble and contrite heart. We should know that we are not deserving of all the abundant blessings we are provided by God. What we deserve is eternal death. Yet, we were saved from this terrible fate by a loving Savior, through the perfect plan of the Heavenly Father. We could not have asked for anything more beautiful than what we are offered through Christ Jesus.

We should not spend time comparing ourselves to others before God. God already knows everything. We should focus on the mercy which God shows us, for, without that mercy, we would face eternal damnation. Focus on who God is and all that He does for you. Praise and thank Him always. Give to Him the glory which He deserves!