Who Was Accepted and Justified by God?

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Who Was Accepted and Justified by God?

Date: Sep. 23, 2023

Passage

Luke 18:9-17 (ESV)

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up 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, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus told a parable to those who trust in their own righteousness and look down on others. In his prayer the Pharisee thanked God for not being like tax collectors and listed his moral credentials. He was proud of his devotion and religious practices. His prayer reveals his proud and self-righteous attitude. He thought that he had a better standing before God. However, before the holy God, his righteousness was like a filthy rag; he had something to boast about before people, but not before God. God did not justify him. No one can be accepted by God based on their own merits.

The tax collector would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” He recognized his unrighteousness and turned to God for mercy alone. Jesus said that it was the tax collector who went home justified before God. God forgives and exalts anyone who comes to him like this; he does not despise a broken and contrite heart (Ps 51:17). No one is righteous before God. However, when we come to God with a humble and repentant heart and welcome Jesus like a little child, we receive God’s mercy and can enter the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, I come to you resting in Christ alone for my salvation, trusting that Jesus paid the penalty of my sins and was raised for my justification. Have mercy on me, a sinner.

One Word: One Word: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

God on the Move

Ezekiel 1:1-28

Key Verse: 1:12

And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.

Today's Question

What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?

See answer and references