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A Humble Heart

     A certain man came to the temple to pray. His heart was full of pride as he came before the Lord. He was convinced that he had exceeded the expectation of God. He then prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12)

At the same time another man came into the temple. He was a tax collector by profession. The culture around him did not think highly of those in his line of work. When he came before the Lord, he did not even raise his eyes toward heaven. He beat upon his breast and simply prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (vs. 13)

We are all familiar with this parable that Jesus gives in the gospel of Luke. Jesus illustrates that it is not the one who boast before God that will be justified, but the one who humbles himself before Him. This is the one who acknowledges his sin and his great need for God’s grace and tender mercy.

It is a humbling experience to recognize our own sins before God. We realize that it is our sins that separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). It is our sins that enslave us (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). If the problem of sin remains, it will lead to death (Romans 6:23).

If we try to atone for our sins apart from God’s grace, we will quickly realize that we have nothing to offer God. The silver and the gold of this earth belong to Him (Haggi 2:8). All the beast and cattle also are His (Psalms 50:10-11).  Our own righteousness before God is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, apart from Christ, we are lost without hope.

God has acknowledged our human frailty. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He sent His only Son into this world that we through Him could be saved. Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)

Recognizing our need for a Savior requires great humility. It is the humble heart that prompted the men on the day of Pentecost to ask, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Because they sought God’s mercy from a sincere and humble heart, they received their answer. Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (vs. 38).

When we maintain a humble heart before God, we will not be like the Pharisee who put his trust in himself. Rather, our confidence will be firmly grounded our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God Bless each of you,

Eric Hicks

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