Two people can enter an arena, face the same situation with the same skillset, and have different responses. One can feel confident that he can have a successful outcome while the other can feel defeated just looking at the circumstances.
Jesus told a parable about two men who entered the temple to pray. One man was a Pharisee while the other was a tax-collector. The Pharisees were religious and took pride in their adherence to the laws of Moses. Tax collectors were Jewish men who worked for the Romans collecting taxes; their community despised them. When these men went to the temple, their background dictated their approach. “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!” (Luke 18:11 NLT). The tax collector’s approach was different. “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.’ (Verse 13).
Today, there are two categories of people who approach God in prayer. One group believes that their good works would bring them in right standing with God, so they document their good works. Then there are those who are aware that good works is not the key into the kingdom of God. Jesus came to die for sinners. The Bible says in Romans 3:10 KJV: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” When, like the tax collector, we come before God in humility and confess and forsake our sins; his experience can be ours and we can go on our way justified.
Thought for Today: Friend, we are saved by grace.
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Have a blessed day and walk in faith in victory.
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