Proud to Be Humbleنموونە

PROUD TO BE HOLY

On the final day of this Plan, we will close our time together with a grand finale. We do not know if the Pharisee we met on Day 1 was part of the crowd mentioned in Luke 5, but let us learn one more lesson.

In Luke 5, after healing a paralyzed man, Jesus sent him away with an assurance his sins were forgiven (v. 20). The Pharisees were livid! "But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, 'Who does he think he is? That's blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!'" (Luke 5:21 NLT) How ironic. The Pharisees' "respect" for God turned out to be a denial of his Son. In their mission to please God by fulfilling the law, they missed the entire Gospel.

In the same way as the Pharisees, our prideful godly intentions can end up corrupting our purposes as followers of Christ. Even though we are to be holy, separated as God's children, we should never lose sight of God's heart for everybody to be saved through Christ. "In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." (Colossians 3:11 NLT) Who are we to deny anybody salvation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ?

Forgiveness of sin should be the only thought that comes to mind when we encounter someone caught up in sin. That is what made all the difference in the story of Day 1. The Pharisee forgot about his need for forgiveness when he heard the tax collector cry out for mercy. "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.' I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.'' (Luke 18:13-14 NLT) This is the heart of true humility.

How do you look at people around you who struggle with sin? Do you desire their forgiveness because you recognize your sinfulness?

Let us take pride in one thing alone, the saving work of Jesus Christ. "Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ had done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them." (Romans 15:18 NLT) This gift of Love will last forever. "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT)