Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Growing up, I was blessed to have a mother who drove my brother and I to church every Sunday morning. I continued to practice the habit of attending church weekly as an adult. Over the years of attending church, I have encountered a variety of Christians. Some have recently turned to Christ after many years of trying to do life on their own. Others, like myself, have always known Christ. Some view church attendance, volunteering, and tithing as mere transactions with God, a way to secure blessings and validate their faithfulness and goodness. On the other side, there are those who give to the church out of genuine love and generosity.

In this week’s scripture (Luke 18:9-14), we see two types of Christians: the Pharisee and the sinner. 

The Pharisee was strongly devoted to religious tradition. He boasted to God about his righteous deeds, seeing them as proof of his superiority over other individuals.

Luke 18:11
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!’”

The tax collector was looked down upon by society—a sinner. At that time, tax collectors were seen as corrupt traitors, taking more money from their fellow Jews than was needed and keeping the extra for themselves to pay for their own lavish lifestyles. In this story, the tax collector humbled himself before God, prayed to be forgiven for his prior deeds, and wanted to genuinely transform his life in God’s image.

Luke 18:13 
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”

While both the Pharisee and tax collector are loved equally by God, he condemns the righteousness of the Pharisee. God created all humankind in his image; no one is more perfect than another. 

We all make mistakes. 

We all sin. 

God wants us to humble ourselves in front of him—just like the tax collector—acknowledging that we are not perfect and seeking his guidance in our lives.

Questions: 
Looking at the story, do you find yourself more like the Pharisee or the tax collector?

Do you tend to judge people like the tax collector? Or, have you, like the tax collector, been judged harshly by others?

Do you have trouble humbling yourself before God, admitting your mistakes and asking for his guidance in your life?

Next Steps: 
For the next week, commit time each day for prayer to build a closer relationship with God.

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Prayer: 
Dear God, I admit that I am not perfect. I admit that, sometimes, I can be like the Pharisee, blinded of my shortcomings. I also admit that I can be like the tax collector at times, embarrassed to come to you when I know I have messed up and need you. Help me to realize you are not there to judge me. You want to help me, like a good parent does. Help me to devote time each day, humbling myself before you and asking for your direction in my life. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Romans 6:14
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

This post was written by Connie Disbro, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.