As we face the day in front of us, each of us begin the day with several choices: How will we view those around us? How will we view ourselves? For both of these questions, there are two options before us. Notice what Jesus describes in this parable.
Jesus Compared Two People and Two Positions
Jesus described a parable where He compared two people and two different competing positions. Notice what He said:
9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
In this story, Jesus compares a self-righteous person against a humble person. If you choose self-righteousness or humility, that determines how you will answer both of the questions above: How do you view those around us? How do you view yourself?
Two Options Before Us
As self-righteous, How do you view yourself and How do you view those around you?
- You view yourself as sufficient without Christ. You see yourself as a sacrificing person who does everything plus. God ought to be happy that you are on His side. It allows Him time to mess with those who actually need Him. The sad reality, you are good on your own.
- You view others with disdain. You compare yourself and say how glad you are that you are not like them. In your eyes, you are a total different class of individual compared to those other sinners.
As humble, How do you view yourself and How do you view those around you?
- You view yourself as needed God’s incredible mercy. Even though you may be a child of God, you recognize that you sin and need God’s mercy every day. As you consider yourself, you recognize your own need of God’s help throughout the day.
- You view others like yourself. You understand those around you suffer from the same need of God’s mercy as well. Therefore, you extend mercy to those individuals as well.
Two options before us today: either choose self-righteousness or humility. The choice you make determines how you see you and how you see others. It all begins with your view of how you see God and whether or not you need His mercy.
Image Credit Phinehas Adams
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
