Beautiful Word Devotional #150

“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’ ”

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee in this story Jesus told didn’t get it. He mistakenly thought that Jesus would be impressed with his so-called piety. He was, however, comparing his best characteristics to the worst traits of others. And although he felt he came on top in the comparison, Jesus showed us that he actually lost.

The Pharisee’s sin was that of pride, but if he even recognized it in himself, he clearly did not consider it as grievous as robbery, evil-doing, adultery, or deception. And the Pharisee’s pride blinded him to his own sin.

Although we human beings continue to be blind to many of our sins, the fact is all of us are sinners. All of us are unworthy recipients of God’s outrageous grace. Humility should be the hallmark of our lives, not arrogance. After all, Jesus is the hero of the story, not us. He’s the One who rescued mankind.

Lord, thank you for your outrageous grace. Help me live in humility, a beneficiary of so much, amen.