may our thoughts and our words reflect YOU as well

the pharisee and the tax collector - Luke 18:9-14



remember this story?

on the one hand, there's the pharisee - he prays, "God, i thank you that i am not like other men, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. i fast twice a week and give a tenth of all i get." (verse 11-12)

sounds like a pretty good christian in practice and action.. he fasts twice a week and gives a tenth and what he gets. but in words,,, is that really the way to go?


on the other hand, there's the tax collector - he couldn't even look at the heavens, but instead, he repented saying "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." (verse 13)


In Jesus' eyes, the tax collector it the more justified one. "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (verse 14) -- what a great verse.

this isn't to say that sinners should sin all the time and just repent to God thinking that everything will be ok, because it's not. my point is that we may be pleasing to God's eyes in our actions and our lifestyles, but our thoughts and the words need to reflect God. the pharisee's mistake is that he didn't realize that he was placing himself above all the sinners. GOd doesn't rank his children and He most definitely doesn't place certain people above others.. so think to yourselves,,, what makes it okay for us to do it? it's a struggle for me as well because i really care for my friends who make careless mistakes. but spending time with God everyday always reminds me WWJD