Lesson 2587

(Lesson 2587)(01-21-19) Luke 18:9-14
    “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. 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.”

   This lesson has a special meaning to the many among us today who believe that they must live above all sin in order to achieve eternal life. Jesus made reference to such people in the parable He applied in today’s quote, “ He spake this parable unto certain WHICH TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES that they were righteous”. Trusting in one’s self to be righteous is, in itself, a damning proposition seeing that there is NO righteousness except that righteousness which comes by faith and is imputed into those whom have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
    So you see, it is as I said, the ONLY soul saving righteousnesss is that righteousness which is imputed into believers through faith in Jesus Christ.~