Grace, Grace, God's Grace

The Pharisee and the Publican

⁹ And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14

I noticed something new in this story this morning... not only did the publican puff himself up, his prayer didn't ask for forgiveness.  It was a prayer of praise for all he had done rather than for what God had done and the scripture makes that obvious but the more subtle message is forgiveness.  Notice in vs 14 how it says, "this man went to his house justified"?  The tax collector was justified not only because of his humility before God but because he asked God for forgiveness.  He recognized his sinful state, showed a true repentent heart and asked for forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 says:

⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin."

God's mercies are new every morning.  One of His mercies is that He extends grace freely and forgiveness to all who will ask.  He wants to forgive us if we'll only ask.  Seek The Lord while He may be found and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.