We Think We Are Good

And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

The Pharisee 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!’

I tell you, 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.”

Luke 18:9-14

We think we are nice.  And, for the most part we are, but you and I both know that occasionally our own opinions about ourselves can get in the way of what God wants us to do and be. 

Jesus wants us to remember that we are all sinners and that we are all forgiven by grace, not because of anything we do.  We try to live righteous lives not just so people will think well of us, but because it is what Jesus tells us to do.

Likewise, Jesus wants us to be merciful to those who struggle in life.  Not everyone can be wealthy and not everyone has an easy ride in overcoming sin, but just the same, salvation through Jesus Christ is available to everyone, and we need to be mindful of this and keep our less than kind judgements to ourselves. 

Be thankful, be merciful and be kind.