Two Approaches to Salvation: Luke 18:9-14
“9) And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed 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 stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12) I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13) But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14) I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke 18:9-14
In this parable, Jesus captured two very different views of salvation. The Pharisee had a self righteous approach. He had the attitude that “I can save myself through my own goodness.” He was very legalistic and rigid in his religious devotion.
Unfortunately, he was also very proud, judgmental and deceived. The outward looked pretty good, but inwardly he struggled with secret sin like everyone else.
The second approach was the tax collector. He openly struggled with sin and was remorseful of his condition. He humbled himself before God and begged for mercy and forgiveness. He asked God to save Him out of mercy and grace. He genuinely wanted to change his ways and become a different man.
Keep in mind, Jesus shared this parable before His death, burial and resurrection. He came to save lost people.
In the parable, the tax collector was a candidate for the gospel. He needed Jesus to do for him what he could not do for himself. He was ready for a new life.
The good news of the gospel is that when someone repents and places faith in Jesus Christ, He not only forgives and saves them, He also baptizes them with the Holy Spirit. He starts to abide in them through His Spirit.
This is called being “born again.” It is an inner work of God and not an outer work of religious legalism. (Read John 3:1-17) Being born again results in personal transformation. The tax gatherer walked away being forgiven and justified.
Religious legalism cannot save people because it does not change people. It simply puts a mask on the inner problem of sin. Instead of producing humility and contrition, it results in pride and self arrogance.
These legalistic people were the ones who ultimately rejected and crucified Jesus. Why? They didn’t see a need for Him. They didn’t see themselves as being lost or needing a savior.
So which category best describes you? According to the Bible we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s holiness. We all need Jesus as our personal Savior. The Law did not have the power to change people. Only the Holy Spirit can accomplish both justification and sanctification.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“9) And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed 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 stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12) I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13) But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14) I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke 18:9-14
In this parable, Jesus captured two very different views of salvation. The Pharisee had a self righteous approach. He had the attitude that “I can save myself through my own goodness.” He was very legalistic and rigid in his religious devotion.
Unfortunately, he was also very proud, judgmental and deceived. The outward looked pretty good, but inwardly he struggled with secret sin like everyone else.
The second approach was the tax collector. He openly struggled with sin and was remorseful of his condition. He humbled himself before God and begged for mercy and forgiveness. He asked God to save Him out of mercy and grace. He genuinely wanted to change his ways and become a different man.
Keep in mind, Jesus shared this parable before His death, burial and resurrection. He came to save lost people.
In the parable, the tax collector was a candidate for the gospel. He needed Jesus to do for him what he could not do for himself. He was ready for a new life.
The good news of the gospel is that when someone repents and places faith in Jesus Christ, He not only forgives and saves them, He also baptizes them with the Holy Spirit. He starts to abide in them through His Spirit.
This is called being “born again.” It is an inner work of God and not an outer work of religious legalism. (Read John 3:1-17) Being born again results in personal transformation. The tax gatherer walked away being forgiven and justified.
Religious legalism cannot save people because it does not change people. It simply puts a mask on the inner problem of sin. Instead of producing humility and contrition, it results in pride and self arrogance.
These legalistic people were the ones who ultimately rejected and crucified Jesus. Why? They didn’t see a need for Him. They didn’t see themselves as being lost or needing a savior.
So which category best describes you? According to the Bible we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s holiness. We all need Jesus as our personal Savior. The Law did not have the power to change people. Only the Holy Spirit can accomplish both justification and sanctification.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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