30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 9-14 The journey of humility 09 Entering into the presence of the Lord
📖 Luke 18:9-14
17Sep2020 - *Entering into the presence of the Lord* - _Luke 18:9-14_ THE JOURNEY OF HUMILITY 9 – Bible reading: _Hebrews 10:19-20_
We have been focusing our attention on the Pharisee in this parable for the past few days. We have learnt several lessons on humility. Let us now turn our attention on the tax collector.
_Luke 18:13-14 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!' (14) 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."_
Contrasting against the Pharisee the immediate picture of this tax collector that emerges in our minds, is the picture of brokenness and contriteness. Humility or brokenness is an attitude that we must always carry. *This value of humility is the base from which all the other values emerge in our lives*.
We seek God’s mercy from the value base of humility and so it is with faith. It is from the base of humility that we exercise faith in Jesus. If we do not have humility then our prayer will only be a ritual.
The tax collector was justified before God because of His humility. Humility in him made him repent and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. This was pleasing to God and so his sins were forgiven him.
Repentance is a prerequisite for God to forgive us of our sins. _Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem._ It is indeed alarming that we have weakened the importance of repentance in our preaching and teaching.
We will never be worthy to come into the presence of the Lord - We must repent and receive the remission of our sin - But once we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, God has opened for us a precious way to enter into His presence
_Hebrews 10:19-20 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,_ The blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin and we put on the flesh of Jesus, by faith. So, the blood of Jesus and the flesh of Jesus, make us eligible to come into the Holiest of Holies. Humility is the base from where we receive the provisions of God by faith.
The peculiarity is that we always carry in us an attitude of humility but as we appropriate what Jesus has given us, we have the boldness to enter into the presence of the Lord. _Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him._
The tax collector was repentant and contrite over his sinful life. He was justified before God. This is where all of us must begin but we need to get up and move into the sanctum sanctorum of God because of what Jesus has done for us, which we appropriate by faith, in humility.
Let us learn from the life of the tax collector. Humility/brokenness/contriteness led to repentance. Repentance led him to be forgiven of his sin. Forgiveness leads us to have the boldness to enter the inner chambers of the presence of God. At each of these steps, it is faith in God that makes it all possible. It is faith in God that pleases Him.
_Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM"; *for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God*. (6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him._
This value of humility is the base from which all the other values emerge in life.
*Thought to ponder*
```Humility is about dethroning the self in us.```