~Garrett Gengler
As Christ heals me and teaches me in quiet moments with Him and His Word, I notice that I am able to identify things that grieve me, based on God’s Word. At times I see these things in the world, and in the lives of people around me.
While I am happy that Christ is leading and guiding me, I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me humbly and avoid judging situations or people’s actions. In my recent careful reading of Luke, a certain parable of Jesus caught my eye when it comes to humility:
Luke 18:9-14 – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
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.”
Jesus teaches that it is essential for us to take a place of humility. We must always remember that we would be nowhere without Jesus’ grace and mercy. Rather than us tallying up the ways we think we are righteous, as the Pharisee in this parable did, we need to humbly come before God, like the tax collector, and say to our Lord: ‘Be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Lord Jesus, help each of us walk in humility and continually thank you for your mercy that allows us to receive forgiveness and be made right with you. It is only through your mercy that we can do this, no matter how large or small the sin may be. Keep us looking up to you, not side-to-side; humbly crying out for your mercy, and thanking you for your grace.