Two Kinds of People

Here is one of Jesus’ parables – It highlights two kinds of people.

Luke 18:9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This parable implies that there are two kinds of people in this world – the religious person who is morally self-assured and the sinner who understands his sinfulness. God’s word shows us how to minister to both of them.

The Religious or Proud Person

The religious person is proud, and Scripture says, “God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.”  James 4:6 NIV. Religious people believe they are close to God but their hearts are far from Him. A good scripture to share with them is Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Religious people need to understand that they cannot earn their way to heaven. God does not reward people that way.

Instead, Jesus paid the price for their sin, and without God they can never enter heaven. They must humble themselves before God or they will not be exalted. Jesus paid the price for their sins. No amount of ritual or good deeds can purchase a relationship with God. We cannot buy the stairway to heaven as the Led Zeppelin song declares.

The Humble Person

The tax collector represents the person who is well aware of his sins. This individual does not feel comfortable sitting before a holy God but takes a back seat in the synagogue. His eyes show no arrogance and they reveal a distain for his own sin; He possesses a heart of humility. We can share with this person the good news of the gospel. The mercy of God wrought at the cross is what they need and what they can readily receive.

The Prodigal Son and his Older Brother

Jesus told another parable. The prodigal son left his father and seized his inheritance. He squandered his father’s money on wild living. But afterwards he came to the end of himself and ran back into his father’s arms. Heaven kisses the humble but resists the proud.

Humility is a prerequisite for receiving the good news of the gospel. Salvation’s seed grows best in a heart of humility. Isaiah 61:1a The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

The older brother of the prodigal son stayed home all the time when the prodigal ran away. He was the “good son”, faithful to his father, but he became jealous when his dad celebrated his brothers homecoming. The older brother’s heart was full of self-righteousness and envy.

The prodigal found mercy in his father’s arms, while the older brother chose not partake of the family’s celebration.

It requires humility to walk through the doorway into the Lord’s presence. Pride repels the favor of God, and causes us to fend for life’s challenges alone. But it should be noted that we cannot generate a heart of humility on our own, we need the Holy Spirit’s help to be humble.

How is Your Heart

How is the condition of your heart? Are you self-assured or are you trusting and depending on Father God? Come kneel before the Lord and say this prayer:

Dear Father God,

Thank you for your mighty grace and your everlasting love. I give you my pride and selfishness, while I receive Your love and Your precious written word. Come and speak to me.                                           In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A Prayer for those who haven’t accepted the Lord:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe that You love me and you want what’s best for me. Thank you for sending Your Son to die for me and to save me. I ask You to forgive me of my sin. I receive Your gift of salvation. Thank you for saving me my risen Lord.

Pause and Ponder

Meditate upon this scripture and let it become a part of you:

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:2