10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11. 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. 12. I fast twice in a week, I give tithes of all that I posses. 13. 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. 14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
As we look at this parable we can quickly see the two different types of people in the world; the saved and the unsaved. There are many souls today that live just as the Pharisee in this parable of scripture. Do you ever put yourselves above others? Do you believe your going to heaven because of your religious ritual? True faith has always proved that heaven is not about religion, but redemption and then a relationship. Look at vs. 11! His prayer was very self centered, “and thus prayed with himself,” When you pray to the Lord does He even hear you? The Pharisee posed as if he prayed to God, but his prayer life wasn’t about God, it was about himself and all these religious rituals that were in his life. Not only was his prayer about himself, but he also tried to tell God that he was better than this publican(tax collector). One thing people fail to accept is Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned:” Every one is a sinner and everyone falls short, regardless of how many religious rituals you partake in. Everyone is like a Pharisee and a publican until they meet Jesus Christ. God will never hear your prayer until you become a child of God. John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” The will of God is only one thing; to believe on the Son, meaning to be saved. John 6:40 “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The publican realized he was nothing more than a wicked sinner and there was nothing he could do on his own to have a relationship with God. Once he humbled himself, he received Christ! Jesus Christ is the only way to inherit eternal life, without Him the Bible says you will inherit eternal death. Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Do you know what that means? It means that Jesus saves all sinners, sinners meaning; publicans, Pharisees, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Baptists, sportsmen, sportswomen, alcoholics, drug addicts, adulterers, liars, thieves, murderers, and every one else! Is Jesus your Saviour? Call upon him today, the Bible says He SHALL SAVE YOU!
Memory Verse Week 10/16/17
John 6:40
“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
