A Proud Heart

In Luke 18:9-14 we have a famous parable of Jesus. A parable is a story that illustrates a truth, and in this parable we have a parable of contrast. On one hand we have a Pharisee, a religious stalwart. He's in church every time the door opens; He's recognized as a leader; He's a visible, vocal church member. On the other hand we have a publican, a tax collector, an outcast. So who do you believe is accepted by God?

The bible tells us that God "resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." It does not say God honors the religious but detests the sinner. In this parable we see the danger of religion. Salvation and following Christ are not about our position in the church, and how faithful we are about the visible things of external religion. Salvation and being a disciple are about a humble heart. A willingness to deny one's self, and truly follow Christ. So why is it so difficult for some who appear so faithful and religious to truly follow Christ? The answer is simple, a proud heart.

Notice the words of this very religious man. In verse 11 he prays and thanks God for not making HIM like other men, lowly sinners. In verse 12 he establishes his religious credentials as a faithful tither and one willing to fast twice a week even though the Hebrews were only commanded to fast once a year. My what a fine, God fearing man he is. God is surely delighted that one such as him populates His body.

Now look at the words of the outcast in verse 13; "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying. 'God be merciful to me a sinner.'" He saw himself as having no standing before God. He saw himself as unrighteous and in need of mercy. His heart was broken over his sin. So of these two men, which is honored by God?

The Pharisees sadly in scripture represent an outward religion that is a wide road to destruction. Previously, just in the gospel of Luke, Jesus had exposed the Pharisees as self-righteous unbelievers(Lk 11:39-54), debtors to bankrupt to pay what they owed to God(Lk 7:40-50), prideful men seeking honor for themselves(Lk 14:7-14), and proud people concerned with outward obedience but unconcerned for others(Lk 15:25-32). They had religion but lacked repentance and humility before God and man.

In Matthew 23, one of the most scathing chapters in the bible, Jesus strips clean the ungodliness of outward religion. Seven times Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites. He says in Matthew 23:25, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self indulgence."

Contrast this attitude with that of the tax collector. The tax collector acknowledges that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," even him. He recognizes that their is "none righteous, no, not one," even him. This outcast is concerned with the sinfulness of his heart and cries out to God for mercy, he does not recite his deeds on behalf of God.

In Matthew 23:26 Jesus tells us how to overcome an outward, hypocritical religion and be humble before God. He says, "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also." Until our hearts are broken and humbled before God, and we deal with our own sin, no amount of outward religion can save us. So we must ask ourselves, does our pride prevent us from doing this like the Pharisee, or can we be transparent and meek like the tax collector, and thus get right with God?

If we cannot humble ourselves, Luke 18:11 tells us our "religion" is not for God, but for ourselves. Luke 18:14 explains this clearly as Jesus says, "I tell you, this man(the tax collector) went down to this house justified rather than the other(the religious Pharisee); for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." In our hearts, is our pride causing us to exalt ourselves? Or are we broken and humbled before God? How we answer that question will tell us whether we are justified through Christ before God, or simply a "whitewashed tomb" which on the outside "appears beautiful," but on the inside is full of "dead men's bones and all uncleanness." Are you religious, or redeemed?