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This story explains why human works to earn God's acceptance can't work.
We all have an unfixable spiritual defect, the programming in our soul is permanently damaged. The urge to disobey God and hurt and control others, it's in our nature. Everyone tries to fix this defect, some through religious practice.
Jesus told the story of 2 men trying to fix this problem-
Luke 18:9 “Two men went to pray. One was a religious leader, and the other was a despised tax collector. The leader stood alone and prayed:‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income. ’
“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. ’ Jesus concludes, “I tell you, this sinner, not the religious leader, went home justified before God.
Jesus says humility and not religious acts make you right with God.
Let's define “Religious acts” are human efforts to gain God's favor.
That religious leader performed “religious” duties and felt he was better than others.
People “seek to establish their own righteousness” by performing religious acts.
Actions and duties to earn God's acceptance just don't work!
All our righteousness is like dirty rags to God. Self righteousness is not righteous!
The humble heart of the tax collector is the right way. “God be merciful to me, a sinner!
God accepts humble people!
Trying to earn your way to God will fail. Asking for mercy makes you right with Him and opens Heaven's door to you!
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This story explains why human works to earn God's acceptance can't work.
We all have an unfixable spiritual defect, the programming in our soul is permanently damaged. The urge to disobey God and hurt and control others, it's in our nature. Everyone tries to fix this defect, some through religious practice.
Jesus told the story of 2 men trying to fix this problem-
Luke 18:9 “Two men went to pray. One was a religious leader, and the other was a despised tax collector. The leader stood alone and prayed:‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income. ’
“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. ’ Jesus concludes, “I tell you, this sinner, not the religious leader, went home justified before God.
Jesus says humility and not religious acts make you right with God.
Let's define “Religious acts” are human efforts to gain God's favor.
That religious leader performed “religious” duties and felt he was better than others.
People “seek to establish their own righteousness” by performing religious acts.
Actions and duties to earn God's acceptance just don't work!
All our righteousness is like dirty rags to God. Self righteousness is not righteous!
The humble heart of the tax collector is the right way. “God be merciful to me, a sinner!
God accepts humble people!
Trying to earn your way to God will fail. Asking for mercy makes you right with Him and opens Heaven's door to you!