God, I thank you that I am not like other …….. (Luke 18:11)
Luke 18:9-14 , records a parable addressed to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.
The Pharisee has a strong religious belief and so he begins his prayer saying,
God, I thank you that I am not like other …….. (Luke 18:11,12).
Believer is a person who has a religious belief or who strongly believes that something is right or good.
Whereas the tax collector is a person who believes that going to the temple to pray is a right thing. He went to the temple to pray to God. Then, after listening to the Pharisee’s “prayer” , he realised , he was a sinner, and instead of covering up his sin, he confessed and forsook his sin, and surely entitled himself to Gods mercy. Yes, I am sure that he forsook his sin, because he stood far off and would not even raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying,” God be merciful to me a sinner”. A prayer of a broken and contrite spirit. God does not despise such prayer. The scripture says the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee.
The Pharisee seemed not an extortioner, nor was unjust nor an adulterer. He confessed he followed the law given by God and the laws made by man. He was a strong believer of his religious belief. He expounded his righteousness before God. He was exalting himself rather than God . He was very proud of his knowledge, his righteousness, his status in the society. He trusted in himself to the extent that he despised the tax collector on his face. It shows how much he hated sinners.
On the other hand, the tax collector was humble and honest enough to confess himself as a sinner. The scripture says he went home justified and exalted because he humbled himself. Undoubtedly, Humbleness, repentance and seeking God’s mercy, are the right things, a believer should practice throughout his life. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life , and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14). The gate we are called to enter is narrow, it demands shedding away the excess baggage that comes from within our heart, the evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy , pride and foolishness. (Mark 7 :21,22).
Let us keep practicing this attitude of a believer, till we see Him.