News/Events Jesus told a story about two men who went up into the temple to pray, one a religious leader and the other a tax collector.  The religious leader stood and was praying this to himself: "God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get."  But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!"  Jesus said that this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Think honestly about yourself  for a moment.  Which of these two men are you like?  Many people would probably claim to be humble, but when was the last time you realized the shame of your sin before God and cried out for mercy?  True humility is humility before both men AND God.  True humility is looking at yourself through God's eyes.  God is perfect.  God is holy.  God sees everything that you do in secret.  He knows every shameful, wicked or hateful thought you've ever had. You may hide those things from other people, but you can't hide them from God. The good news  is that God knows all of your sin and He still loves you.  Even though your sin deserves death, God has provided the payment that His justice demands.  That payment was made by Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God.  Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect and holy life, and was killed.  Jesus did this so that you would not have to pay the price for your sin.  Thankfully, Jesus didn't stay dead, but he won victory over death and rose from the grave - alive!  Because Jesus is God, He has power over even death.  This same power can cause you to be reborn and made spiritually alive!  Cry out to Jesus like this humble tax collector: "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!"  He will show you mercy if you ask Him.  He will forgive your sin, because Jesus already paid the price! (From Luke 18:10-14) Newsletter Archive > February > Site Map > Home > News/Events > Email Newsletter
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The Pharisee and the Tax Collector