The Publican

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

 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.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. -Luke 18:9-14 KJV

We see in this part of scripture in this parable that Jesus spoke, the Pharisee was obviously proud and the publican was humble and lowly in spirit. The Pharisee walked about as if he was not a sinner in no wise and was boasting before the Lord. The publican came to Jesus with a stature of humility bowing his head before God asking God for Mercy. Are you guilty of coming to God boastfully instead of humbling yourself before him? Seeking his mercy?. See the Bible lets us know to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, be thankful to him and Bless his name.-Psalm 100:4. In this scripture we see the Pharisee did surely thank God but not with a pure heart he looked at himself as better than others, as if he was exempt from falling short.

The Lord never approves of us ever thinking that we are better than others nor to boast about ourselves in his presence or even around others. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.-Philippians 2:3-4. The Bible even lets us know that  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.-1 John 1:8-10. See as a believer you may not sin willfully but unwilfully via our thoughts, actions, words we may speak which must be confessed and repented of as we are convicted.

In the first verse we see that Jesus Christ gave this parable as a example for those which trust in themselves that they are righteous (self righteous). These very kinds of individuals look down on people who do not meet their own standards according to their own righteousness which is not of God. When this happens you are in danger because you are quenching the Holy Spirit it is not based in the Love of God. The Bible lets us know that there is none righteous no, not one only the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ you will be the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. It is definitely not of God to walk like this because as mentioned earlier it is not the Love of God and definitely not the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Which are But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.-Galatians 5:22-23.

Through the humility of the Publican Jesus Christ can do so much and pour out so much Mercy and Grace upon him and use him mightily. Due to him being able to acknowledge his shortcomings and even being able to see himself. A person filled with pride and self righteousness cannot see that they need help, the mercy of God, even themselves. People with pride are dangerous and are very contentious and have strife attached to them. As we see in the last scripture it says for everyone that exalted himself shall be abased and everyone who humbles himself shall be exalted. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. A prideful person leans unto their own understanding, they go against God, due to the spirit of pride ruling in their life deceiving them.

Always come to God with a heart of thanksgiving and praise concerning his goodness in your life, his mercy, his grace. Seeking more of his Mercy and Grace for any way you have fell short and repent daily. Don’t be like the Pharisee in self righteousness blind to the fact you need his mercy and grace. God resist’s the proud but he gives grace to the humble. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. You see how the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like those who were in certain sins? That’s evil and condescending. Instead of him saying thank you Father for keeping me by your spirit and power, I pray for those in (Whatever kind of sins) that you bring them out and deliver them, Fill them with your power and keep them, Father draw them to Jesus in Jesus name. I leave you with this Don’t be like Jonah who didn’t want to preach to the Ninevites just because he didn’t want to see them saved (despising others). What happened to Jonah? He was swallowed in the belly of the large fish. REPENT and HUMBLE yourself.

P.S Don’t get so comfortable with the Lord that you relate to him any way and not reverence him as he should be reverenced. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:15-16