Good morning all!
Father, we know that You are the One and only justifier of mankind. We believe Your Son justified the world by His show of love and mercy as He walked to Golgotha, as He carried the very cross that would ultimately be the only thing worthy to justify us all, Amen. Have you ever justified in your own mind why you did or didn’t do something? Is there anything we can do that would make us justified? Are you justified?
Luke 18
Luk 18:10 KJV – Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Two men go to church looking to find God; one that thinks they are righteous, and the other not.
Luk 18:11 KJV – The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
The religious one said to God, I sure am glad I’m not like so and so, you know the manipulator, the one that’s wrong, the unfaithful or the one that’s despised.
Luk 18:13 KJV – And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
And the one that was despised, stood alone, he didn’t think he was worthy to call on God, with a heavy heart he spoke to God and asked for mercy for I’m no good.
Luk 18:14 KJV – I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Jesus lets them know, the one that asked for mercy was justified but the other that pointed his finger was not: the one that thinks they better than others will learn otherwise, the other God exalts.
Bottom line
Have you ever noticed God’s outlook on life is usually the exact opposite of what we say and think? This story starts out like most jokes, two men walk into a church…ever noticed there’s always two? One that thinks he’s right and the other that thinks he’s wrong. Which one did God accept? The one that pointed his finger at the sinner or the one that actually said I am a sinner? Here’s the difference, one wants God to notice the way they LOOK while the other doesn’t care how they LOOK as long as they can truly find God. I mean both men were in church, and both were talking to God and yet only one went home justified, why?
Mat 12:37 KJV – For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. According to the word of God, by our words we either receive justification or condemnation. The one that was justified told God he was a sinner and needed His mercy, can anyone relate? Is that hard to do? The other man told God he was better than the sinner, he didn’t go home justified…instead condemned. This is a kingdom principle that still applies to our life today, it’s not some old fashion story that has zero application in our life…it’s called the LIVING word NOT yesterdays’ news…capeesh? This one is pretty simple church, only one way to be justified in the sight of God…you just got to tell Him your lost without Him and you need His mercy. When?
Psa 59:16 NLT – But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your mercy. How many mornings did David sing about the Lord’s mercy? Hmm…EVERY morning. Why do you think he was the apple of God’s eye? David was the center focus for God because God was the center focus for David each morning…come on church it’s more than an hour on Sunday, it’s a life lived. This was the trap Israel fell into time and time again, they would be cruising through life and forgot to ask for mercy EACH morning.Why? They thought everything was okay, perhaps they thought based on the actions of others they were justified. How many times did they condemn their enemies? Good thing God had them to point out the flaws in everyone else’s life…Ha!
Sng 4:7 NIV – You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Can we grab ahold of that verse this morning? Maybe the flaws we think we see really aren’t flaws after all, maybe God’s word is true and instead we should focus on God’s love rather than condemnation…maybe that’s the point. Do you know Christ this morning?
Rom 8:1 NIV – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The world will know we have Christ when we stop condemning people. There is NOW as of June 22nd 2018 NO more condemnation for us who live as Christ, it doesn’t say you condemn others as long as your right. NO means NO! You want to be justified this morning?
Rom 2:13 KJV – (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. The hearer isn’t justified, everybody has heard Christians are called to love and forgive others, right? Yup that’s what I HEARD Phil…You want to be justified? it’s gonna take more than hearing, it’s gonna require some doing of the law. Paul’s speaking of the royal law…
Jas 2:8 KJV – If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: You can’t condemn others and love them at the same time, the royal law, the one written by the King of kings is to love your neighbor. I pray when we go to church this Sunday there’s only one that attends, leave the other out, God doesn’t hear him anyway.
Point to Ponder
Who’s your neighbor? Luke 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, and who is my neighbor? Time to quit justifying why we can’t love others and time to start justifying why we can…the Cross and nothing else.
Let’s all live justified and love one another, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends
