A Lesson in Humility and Grace
A Lesson in Humility and Grace
Have you ever wondered how you can leave church feeling truly transformed? You might think it's all about the sermon or the worship music, but Jesus tells us a different story. In Luke 18, He shares a parable that challenges our understanding of righteousness and humility. Let's dive into this story and discover how you can leave church not just feeling good, but genuinely changed.
The Parable of Two Men
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, and the other was a tax collector, deeply aware of his sins. The Pharisee stood proudly, thanking God that he was not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like the tax collector. He boasted about fasting twice a week and giving a tenth of all he got. In contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, not even daring to look up to heaven. He beat his chest and prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Humility Over Self-Righteousness
The main point of this parable is clear: God values humility over self-righteousness. The Pharisee's prayer was all about himself—his good deeds, his moral superiority. He was so focused on his own righteousness that he missed the point of prayer altogether. On the other hand, the tax collector's prayer was simple and heartfelt. He acknowledged his sins and pleaded for God's mercy. Jesus concluded that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified before God.
Why This Matters to You
You might be wondering, "Why should I care about this story?" The answer is simple: It challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are you like the Pharisee, confident in your own righteousness, or are you like the tax collector, aware of your need for God's mercy? This parable invites you to approach God with humility, recognizing that none of us are worthy on our own.
Action Steps: How to Apply This Lesson
- Examine Your Heart: Take a moment to reflect on your own attitude. Are you relying on your good deeds to justify yourself before God? Or are you humbly acknowledging your need for His mercy?
- Pray with Humility: When you pray, focus on God's greatness and your need for His grace. Avoid prayers that are self-centered and boastful. Instead, pray like the tax collector: "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
- Extend Grace to Others: Just as you receive God's grace, be willing to extend it to others. Avoid looking down on people who you think are less righteous than you. Remember, we are all in need of God's mercy.
- Seek Transformation: Don't just go through the motions of attending church. Seek a genuine transformation of your heart. Ask God to help you grow in humility and grace.
A Call to Humility
The point is clear: Jesus wants your whole heart, and that starts with humility. What will you do this week to humble yourself before God? Will you continue to rely on your own righteousness, or will you, like the tax collector, acknowledge your need for God's mercy? Remember, without taking this step, you'll miss out on the true transformation that Jesus offers.
A Prayer for Humility
Dear Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy. Help us to approach You with humble hearts, recognizing our need for Your forgiveness. Teach us to pray with sincerity and to extend grace to others. Transform our hearts so that we may leave church not just feeling good, but truly changed. In Jesus' name, Amen.
By embracing humility and seeking God's mercy, you can experience a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. So, the next time you leave church, ask yourself: Am I leaving like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Choose humility, and let God's grace transform you.
This blog post was created from the sermon, “Two Ways to Leave To Church” by Pastor Ralph Douglas West, from the sermon series, “Cries of Mercy”. Visit our sermon archives to watch the entire sermon.
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