Two very different Prayer

Previously https://read.cash/@eLdavis/two-very-different-prayer-introduction-80694a72#comments

We introduced the Pharisees and the tax collectors and how different they were from each other, and how the society sees them.

The Pharisee's Prayer

Notice four things about the Pharisee's Prayer;

• Luke 18:11-12 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. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

i, the Pharisee made no mention of his sin; Many people today, have the ability to see sin in others but fail to see the sins they commit, we feel when ever we call on God He would answer,we feel we deserve God's unlimited love so we see no need to confess our sins or our faults.

ii, The Pharisee holds up his religious and good deeds as the reason he feels he is right with God; i have heard many say there is no need to be in church, that their good works is enough,they dont need to study more of Gods word or try to understand Him, all they need is to do good deeds.

iii, The Pharisee had pride; a person with pride sees no fault in themselves, hence they see no need to be sorry or remorseful because they were never at fault in the first place. From the bible verse above we saw how the Pharisee compared himself with others and how he felt he was better than others.

iv, The Pharisee was being judgemental. The bible clearly tells us that we should never judge others, that is not our duity, nor do we have the right to do so. To judge is ment for our Heavenly Father, He is the perfect judge. The Pharisee judged others ans also judged himself worthy to talk to God in his Prayers.

The Tax Collector's Prayer

Notice two things from the tax collector's prayer

• Luke 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.

i, Submission; He didnt care about how much wealth he had, nor his status, he accepted and realized that God is Supreme above all, even above the Roman empire he served. Him not lifting up his eyes to heaven is a sign that he knew he is not worthy, he knew he had to submit himself, he had to bring himself down for God to lift him up.

ii, A repentant heart; one of the reasons why God Loved David so much was his ability to acknowledge his sins and repent, the tax collector, knew he was a sinner, he accepted his sin and begged for mercy.

• 1 John 1:9 KJV

• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

That is exactly what the tax collector did. He knew his sin was great and he had no way of paying for his sin. He did did the next best thing, he begged God for mercy

Who Are We Comparing Ourselves To?

• 1 John 1:8 KJV

• If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

This a perfect example of what the Pharisee did. He deceived himself into thinking he was without sin, instead of comparing himself to God's perfection and standards he compared him self to man's imperfections and standards. Let me give an illustration

I offer you a glass of water, you looking at the glass noticed dirts. You calling this to my attention i tell you, the glass is dirty but the water is clean, would you still drink it? I guess your answer would be no because no matter how clean the water may be, the glass it self is dirty.

Now lets think of our hearts as the glass and the good deeds as the water that fills the glass. Many people today lived a very bad lives or are living bad lives, their hearts has been filed with a lot of dirts. While others - like the Pharisee are living good and wonderful lives filled with good deeds, but it does not matter what whether you heart is filled with good or bad, once the good deeds we offer to God to earn salvation becomes contaminated by sin, God will not accept it. He will give a new heart to anyone who ask.

• Ezekiel 36:26 KJV

• A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

As Christ heart is pure, so is his sacrifice on the cross and his love for us. God doesn't take good people and make them better, nor does he leave bad people without hope.