1088. The Pharisee Trusted in Himself

The Pharisee Trusted in Himself

"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" (Luk_18:9).

The whole concept of the parable of the publican and the Pharisee, is to condemn those "certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." Thus, we see that the Pharisee boasted of himself, prayed to himself. His look was an inward look. Of course, his prayer never got above his head. We should neither preach ourselves, nor pray to ourselves, nor trust in ourselves. What good is there in man? A man might just as well try to lift himself by his own boot straps, as to try to save himself.

We are not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold from our vain conversation. We are redeemed by the precious Blood of Christ.

We are not saved by the works of righteousness we have done; but by His mercy, by the washing of regeneration by the Word.

We are not saved by works lest any man should boast. We are saved by grace, through faith and that not of ourselves.

Illustration: We heard once of a minister who said that getting saved was like rolling a ball up a mountain side. You got under the ball and rolled it up and up, until, in your dying breath, you gave it one final push over the top and were saved. We would much rather believe the Word of God, and take salvation, apart from ourselves, as a gift of God.

Let those who trust in themselves, or who trust in anything which they themselves can do, or in anything which they themselves are, beware.

Let those who trust in church-membership, or baptism, or any church activity of any kind, beware. Christ has given you the parable of the Pharisee as a warning to all who trust in themselves. May it prove sufficient.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR