Taking “Self” Out of RighteousnessTaking “Self” Out of Righteousness
Luke 18:9-14Luke 18:9-14
Luke 18:9
9 He also told this parable to some whotrusted in themselves that they wererighteous, and treated others withcontempt…
Luke 18:10-12
10 “Two men went up into the temple topray, one a Pharisee and the other a taxcollector. 11 The Pharisee, standing byhimself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you thatI am not like other men, extortioners,unjust, adulterers, or even like this taxcollector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithesof all that I get.’
Luke 18:13
13 But the tax collector, standing far off,would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, bemerciful to me, a sinner!’
Luke 18:14
14 I tell you, this man went down to hishouse justified, rather than the other. Foreveryone who exalts himself will behumbled, but the one who humbleshimself will be exalted.”
The Markers of a Self-justifier
1.Possess a system of ethics which youbelieve if kept makes you good.
2.Possess a spirit of contempt for thosewho do not value your system.
What’s Your System?
2 Self –Justifying Systems
•If I keep the rules and avoid sin, I will be a goodperson. (Conservatives/Pharisees)
•If I love and accept others, I will be a goodperson. (Progressives/Herodians)
Self TestHow do youreact?
Do you have contempt for others?
•The moral are in and the immoral are out.
•The open minded are in and the closedminded are out.
We are never more like the Pharisee than whenwe thank God we are not like the Pharisee.
- Charles Spurgeon
Luke 18:14
14 I tell you, this man went down to hishouse justified, rather than the other. Foreveryone who exalts himself will behumbled, but the one who humbleshimself will be exalted.”
•Use the law rightly – to identify sin.
•Let God justify you – receive grace.
Luke 18:13
13 But the tax collector, standing far off,would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, bemerciful to me, a sinner!’