1091. The Publican Compared Not Himself with Men

The Publican Compared Not Himself with Men

"I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom_7:18).

Why should the publican have compared himself with others? Deep down in his heart, he felt such a comparison would do him no good; he thought himself to be a chief of sinners! he didn't know where he could find any one any worse than he was himself.

Why should the publican have compared himself with others? He must have known that salvation was not by character. Suppose he had been better than some one else, where was the advantage? So long as "sin" was deep-rooted within him, and so long as "sin" was the fruitage of his life, it would have done him little good to have found some one more sinful.

The Lord Jesus Christ made a comparison favorable to the publican but our Lord's comparison was not based upon the question of sinning, but upon the question of the attitude of the sinner. Christ placed the publican above the Pharisee, not because the publican exceeded the Pharisee in long prayers, or in gifts, or in righteous deeds or religious activities. The Lord favored the publican because the publican threw himself upon mercy and grace. The Pharisee rejected both. How happy we should be that the vilest of the vile may come to the fountain for cleansing!

The Pharisee believed in white-washing; the publican desired to be washed white.

The Pharisee believed in himself; the publican believed in Christ.

The publican without one word of self-commendation, came to Christ just as he was, a sinner.

"Just as I am! poor, wretched, blind,

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need in Thee I find,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

"Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, Whose Blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God! I come! I come!"

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR