My Sneaky Little Heart

What are some things we can learn from examining the parable of the pharisee and tax collector who both went to the temple to meet with God in Luke 18?

Here's the account,

Luke 18:9   And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  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 the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

What's wrong with how this pharisee approached God?  After all he thanks God for the difference between himself and the other man.  Here's what's wrong.

1.  Comes with nothing to confess or repent about.  Who makes an appointment with the doctor only to tell them they need nothing.

2.  Self-chosen morality.  He brags about a mixture of things minus the tithing that God never asked for such as fasting twice a week.  His walk was simply another mechanism for self-exaltation.  

3.  He sincerely believes he is different then the tax collector.  

Moment by moment, throughout our day, our self justifying hearts war with the truth of justification by faith in Jesus Christ.  This pharisee viewed this thieving tax collector with contempt, which revealed his self justifying faith.  It is the same today.  How you view sinners reveals what you believe about the grace of God that has been given us in Christ.  The true position of what I believe vertically, shows up in how I view others horizontally. I believe God is awakening a whole new generation with the gospel and the deal breaker is going to be arrogance with him.  If we stay low, God is going to do an amazing work through US!  According to this parable, the times when you have felt furthest from the Lord are the times when you have possibly been the closest to Him.  Our hearts are so sneaky as to take the gospel and turn it into yet another mechanism for self-exaltation.