30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 9-14 The journey of humility 04 Repent and return to the authority of God over us
📖 Luke 18:9-14
12Sep2020 - *Repent and return to the authority of God over us* - _Luke 18:9-14_ - THE JOURNEY OF HUMILITY 4 – Bible reading: _Luke 24:47_
We will now look into the parable that our Lord has shared for us in this passage.
_Luke 18:9-12 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (10) “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (11) 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. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'_
The problem of the Pharisee has been articulated for us in vs 9. He trusted in Himself, was self-righteous and despised others. Let us look deeper to understand the pharisaic nature.
_Matthew 9:10-13 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. (11) And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (12) When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (13) But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."_
Let us consider this statement, _' I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.'_ This statement can be understood from the following sentence, _For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."_ It is the sinner, who comes before God, pleading for mercy.
Think of a convict on death row. The lawyers have argued the case and lost; the judge has delivered the final verdict of death on this person. This person has no options left but to plead for mercy to the highest office of the land. This is where each one of stands, before God. Can this felon offer a large amount of money or do some good deeds now and claim for his sentence be ignored? None at all. The only possible hope left is that his plea for mercy be granted by the head of the state.
This is our standing before God. We are condemned already, for the wages of sin is death. The Pharisee did not see himself in this condition at all, for in his mind he saw sin as the items that he lists, _(11) 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._ Based on this list, he was not a sinner.
What is sin? We have already stated that sin is wrapped with the self in us. God created us with freedom of choice but set up our relationship with Him in such a way that we must choose to submit our choice/will to His, willingly. This is the essence, the core, the crux, the heart of our relationship with God. _John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me._
This was how Adam and Eve were, in their relationship with God, prior to the fall. What and where was the entry of sin? Sin entered when man and woman chose to follow their own will over and against God’s will. They decided that ‘they’ will now govern their lives and that they did not need to remain submitted to God’s authority over them.
Sin is man’s rebellion against God. This is why we are all sinners, however good we may be in our conduct and behaviour (Just as the Pharisee). We run our lives, independent of God. We come to God, on a need basis but fundamentally we are in control over our lives. This is sin.
It is from this sin that we need to repent and plead to God for His mercy and forgiveness, for He alone can forgive our sin. Man must come before God for we are His creatures and He is our Creator, Owner, Sustainer and Judge. All humanity is answerable and accountable before God. With what do we come before Him? We come before Him, pleading for His mercy. Nothing we can do will condone the sin in us.
It is the sacrifice of Jesus alone (He alone was without sin), for He took our rebellion on Himself and suffered the punishment of the cross _Philippians 2:5-8_, that will condone our sin. We can therefore come before God pleading for His mercy, for our sin, on the basis of what Jesus did for us on our behalf.
Therefore, repentance and pleading for God’s mercy is the starting point of our relationship with God. The self in us does not remain dead but resurrects, for we are still in the flesh. This is why Apostle Paul says, _II Corinthians 4:10 *always* carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body._
Every time we come before God, there needs to be an attitude of repentance and plea for His mercy. It is not that we doubt or question what God has already done for us on the cross but the fact is that we are still in the flesh that resurrects and sin is wrapped with the self or the flesh.
When we do not come before God with an attitude of repentance and seeking His mercy, we become Pharisaic.
_Luke 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem._
*Thought to ponder*
```Let us be wary over every kind of doctrine that promotes the ‘self’ in us. _Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God._```