30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 9-14 The journey of humility 06 The problem of comparison
📖 Luke 18:9-14
15Sep2020 - *Being concerned for those around us* - _Luke 18:9-14_ - THE JOURNEY OF HUMILITY 7 – Bible reading: _Matthew 9:10-13_
In this journey of humility, we saw yesterday, that we must be concerned for those who are hurting around us and not isolate ourselves from them. The fast that God requires of us is to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and that we break every yoke. This is why we are here on earth, to carry upon us the pain of God’s heart, which is to seek and save the lost. This is God’s will for us.
Instead of being concerned and burdened for the tax collector, this Pharisee was so caught up with his superiority over the tax collector. _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.'_
God hates this holier and thou attitude in us. _Isaiah 65:5 Who say, 'Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!' These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day._
The Lord identified Himself with us. _II Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Philippians 2:6-7 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, (7) but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men._
The Lord expects us to have His attitude in us. _Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,_
Whereas the Pharisees and other religious leaders were so far removed from the heart of God. They were questioning why Jesus was mingling with the sinners. _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."_
The Lord’s heart is that just as He had mercy on us, we too must have mercy on those around us, who are hurting and in deep trouble. Our task is to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. _Luke 15:1-2 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."_
When we live as those who are concerned only for ourselves and not for those who are alienated from God, then we are smoke to the nostrils of God.
Look at what has happened to us. We have made missions and evangelism as a programme and as an added activity, in our churches. We have relegated missions to the work of a committee within the church.
Yes, we must come together to worship God, to pray, to study His word and to build one another in our walk with the Lord but our gathering must result in our scattering. We, as the church, as families and as individuals need to be where people are, in their struggles and challenges of life, building relationships with them and then leading them to the fount of living waters, where their soul will be nourished.
The Pharisee completely missed the heart of God and thereby never understood the meaning of humility. We as Christians, claim to be humble but when we live without being concerned for the lost around us, then we become the most arrogant. The most arrogant because we pretend to be humble but are not.
*Thought to ponder*
“Lord, by your grace, I repent and I remove the blindfolds over my eyes, to see as You do.”