37 lines
4.7 KiB
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37 lines
4.7 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 3
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<h1>Contrasting Results for Self-Exaltation and Humility</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>The <b>Pharisee</b> stood and prayed thus <b>with himself</b>, "God, I thank You that <b>I am not like other men</b>"…<b>everyone</b> who <b>exalts himself</b> will be <b>abased</b>, and <b>he</b> who <b>humbles himself</b> will be <b>exalted</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '11-11');">Luke 18:11</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '14-14');">14</a>)</div>
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<p>The importance of Jesus' teaching here can be seen in its repetition on various occasions (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 23, '12-12');">Matthew 23:12</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Luk', 14, '11-11');">Luke 14:11</a>). The instruction sets forth the universal inevitability of <b>contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility</b>. <i>"<b>Everyone</b> who <b>exalts himself</b> will be <b>abased</b>, and <b>he</b> who <b>humbles himself</b> will be <b>exalted</b>."</i></p>
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<p>This particular proclamation of the message was given in a parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages humility. <i>"He spoke this parable to some who <b>trusted</b> in <b>themselves</b> that they were righteous, and despised others"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '9-9');">Luke 18:9</a>). The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a <b>self-assured</b> religious leader and a <b>repentant</b> publican. <i>"<b>Two</b> men went up to the temple to <b>pray</b>, one a <b>Pharisee</b> and the other a <b>tax collector</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '10-10');">Luke 18:10</a>). When the self-righteous Pharisee prayed, he was actually having a personal dialogue <b>with himself</b>, even though he vainly addressed his prayer to God?! <i>"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus <b>with himself</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '11-11');">Luke 18:11a</a>). He then appears to begin his prayer in a biblical manner, with an expression of thanksgiving. <i>"In everything by prayer and supplication, <b>with thanksgiving</b>, let your requests be made known to God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl', 4, '6-6');">Philippians 4:6</a>). However, his gratitude was based upon the ungodly assumption that he was innately better than others, particularly, this nearby publican. <i>"God, I thank You that <b>I am not like other men</b>—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or <b>even</b> as this <b>tax collector</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '11-11');">Luke 18:11b</a>). Then, he proceeded to elaborate upon his own virtues by reviewing his religious performance, which obviously seemed very impressive to him. <i>"I <b>fast twice</b> a <b>week</b>; I give <b>tithes</b> of <b>all</b> that I possess"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '12-12');">Luke 18:12</a>).</p>
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<p>This self-righteous Pharisee was so assured of his good standing with God. Yet, he was measuring himself by his own eyes and in comparison to others. The Scriptures that he would claim as his guide condemned such self-righteousness. <i>"There is a generation that is <b>pure</b> in its <b>own eyes</b>, yet is <b>not washed</b> from its <b>filthiness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Pro', 30, '12-12');">Proverbs 30:12</a>). Although man may have been impressed with his external behavior, God saw the abomination of his godless heart. <i>"You are those who <b>justify yourselves</b> before <b>men</b>, but <b>God</b> knows your <b>hearts</b>. For what is <b>highly esteemed</b> among <b>men</b> is an <b>abomination</b> in the <b>sight</b> of <b>God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 16, '15-15');">Luke 16:15</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, I am so grateful that the blood of Christ washes away the times when I have talked or thought—or, even prayed—like this self-righteous Pharisee. Help me to humbly embrace Your perspective, not man's, in Jesus' name, Amen.</div>
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