Sacred Truth Friday: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.The Pharisee  stood and prayed thus with himself,  ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be  humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:9-14 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke18:9-14&version=NKJV
This parable contains a lesson in humility.

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.And He said to them, “You are those who  justify yourselves  before men, but  God knows your hearts. For  what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. - Luke 16:14-15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke16:14-15&version=NKJV
Don't justify myself. Let God justify me.

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, - Titus 3:5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus3:5&version=NKJV
Saved according His grace through baptism, not by works of righteousness.

Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. - Proverbs 3:34 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:34&version=NKJV
God scorns the prideful, but gives grace to the humble.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and  coming in the likeness of men.And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. - Philippians 2:5-8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians2:5-8&version=NKJV
Be a humble obedient servant like Jesus.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. - Philippians 2:3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians2:3&version=NKJV
Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit but in humility consider others better than myself.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. - James 4:6-10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James4:6-10&version=NKJV
This is a key ingredient to confession and repentance: humility. Be humble and have godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) as I confess and repent of any sin in my life.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But  gives grace to the humble.”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, - 1 Peter 5:5-6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Peter5:5-6&version=NKJV
Be clothed with humility.

Lesson: be humble.

Another wonderful sermon from Stephen Wiggins.

And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” - Matthew 27:31,35 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew27:31,35&version=NKJV

Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. - John 19:19 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John19:19&version=NKJV

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their headsand saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. - Matthew 27:39-40,46,50 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew27:39-40,46,50&version=NKJV

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ), - Galatians 3:13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians3:13&version=NKJV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. - Ephesians 2:13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians2:13&version=NKJV

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. - Colossians 1:20 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians1:20&version=NKJV

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. - Galatians 6:14 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians6:14&version=NKJV

1. Hear

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans10:17&version=NKJV

2. Believe

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” - John 8:24 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John8:24&version=NKJV

3. Repent

I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke13:3&version=NKJV

4. Confess

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:32-33 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew10:32-33&version=NKJV

5. Be baptized

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. - Mark 16:16 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark16:16&version=NKJV

6. Remain faithful

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation2:10&version=NKJV

For more information on obeying the Gospel contact your local church of Christ.