2 Timothy 3:16 -- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
Today's daily bread is Luke 18:9.
Luke 18:9 -- "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"
The Pharisee's prayer manifests his mindset (II Peter 2:3). People like him trust in their own works to gain salvation and eternal life, not trusting in Jesus Christ for them. They do not really think they need His sacrifice or help because they think they are good enough in themselves. So, they toot their own horns, making sure God knows how righteous they are. While kneeling before Him, they tell Him all the good things they are always doing, and believe that He is impressed. They act as if God owes them salvation because of their good works.
This attitude shows how little they understand of the true holiness of God and the lowliness of our spiritual state. While on Earth, Jesus worked more easily with tax collectors and sinners than with the Pharisees, though the latter were more dedicated to adhering strictly to the letter of the law. The Pharisees, knowing they were more righteous, made sure others knew it. In their self-delusion and self-righteousness, they could learn little from Christ.
The Pharisee, considering others as nothing, treats them accordingly. It is typical of human nature to elevate itself while putting down others, and some believe that this is the only way to elevate themselves above their peers. Isaiah writes about such people: ". . . who say, 'Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!' These are smoke in [God's] nostrils, a fire that burns all the day" (Isaiah 65:5).
The Pharisee compares his own flaws, not with God's infinite perfections, but with the imagined greater flaws of others. His pride has made him bankrupt of genuine compassion and concern (James 2:13). He presumptuously errs in his prayer in that it is neither his duty nor his right as a sinner to point out another's sins. In trusting in Christ for righteousness, our inadequacies and guilt are revealed, and we become willing to admit that others may be much better than we are.
To be human is to be a sinner. The sooner we realize that the better for us.
(SOURCE: Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
9 Comments:
"To be human is to be a sinner. The sooner we realize that the better for us."
I do not agree with this point with you Jeff! To be a human is to be as holy as Christ is. We are made according to God`s image so we`re not to be sinners at all! And how it happened that we made bad things and sinned... well that`s another topic. But I get what you are saying that we should not think high about ourselves. Even Jesus who is God`s son had to learn humility and to know God, in human form. Even him who is a son of God! So that is why we must not be stupid and too proud because that leads to wicked deeds and eventualy Christ`s and God`s dissapointment with us!
Oh and by the way why do some of people here and you sometimes conclude with the word Maranatha! Pardon me for not understanding that... :-)
Max
MARANATHA-
Maranatha (either מרנא תא; maranâ' thâ' or מרן אתא; maran 'athâ' ) is an Aramaic phrase occurring once only in the New Testament (see Aramaic of Jesus) and also in the Didache which is part of the Apostolic Fathers collection. It is transliterated into Greek letters rather than translated, and is found at the end of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:22) as a farewell. The NRSV translates it as: "Our Lord, come!" but notes that it could also be translated as: "Our Lord has come"; the NIV translates: "Come, O Lord"; the NAB notes:
"As understood here ("O Lord, come!"), it is a prayer for the early return of Christ. If the Aramaic words are divided differently (Maran atha, "Our Lord has come"), it becomes a credal declaration. The former interpretation is supported by what appears to be a Greek equivalent of this acclamation in Rev 22:20 "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!""
Isaiah 25:8 HE will swallow up(destroy) death in victory...
:9 ...we have waited for Him and He will save us.
Isaiah 26:2 OPEN THE GATES that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, shose mind is stayed on Thee; becasuse he trustedth in Thee.
Max has a good point. I don't believe we are born sinners, but at some point in time we begin to learn how to sin. The Old Testament makes a point of how sin followed generations through the fathers line. (Jesus came through on his mother's side). It would be wise as well to remember 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
This was the purpose of Jesus dieing on the cross, to be our High Priest and remove our sins. So in a sense we are no longer sinners. It is not counted against us any longer, BUT that does not mean we can't sin and by all means we should not. This is, of course only for those "born of God" through Salvation.
As a side note: Acts 17:11 says, Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
You do realize when it speaks of scripture in Acts 17:11 they are speaking of Old Testament scripture just as Timothy does in 2 Timothy 3:16 as the New Testament did not exist yet. Just a thought to keep in mind. I say this so we are reminded that the Old Testament is good for teaching as well as the New.
And the source of your topic is from "Forerunner Commentary"
I was looking into things that go bump on the night and found this article-What caught my attention was the terms PORTALS OPEN, and SEASHELL.Might be something????
Midsummer is also the Feast of Faeries. It’s believed that, at twilight, the portals between the faeries' world and the mundane are open. Welcome them and create magick with them, as they will bless humans with joy and insight.
Creating a Midsummer Altar
The altar is decorated with green, gold and yellow candles and cloths. Summer flowers, such as babies’ breath, geraniums and honeysuckles are placed on it, accompanied by, rubies, pearls, sardonyx and sapphires.
If some of these crystals can’t be obtained, crystal quartz can substitute. Seashells, fruit and vegetables are placed on the altar. Lavender incense fills the air.
http://paranormal.suite101.com/article.cfm/pagan_midsummer_june_21_2009#ixzz0IeawlDZI&D
Another connection to go with that article ?
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold:
Not the same stones, but symbolic just like seashell-sea-jellyfish.
I might be just looking under my bed again....
Thanks guys for Maranatha explanation. Language is a great thing especialy when you can detail exact thought. There is a phrase in Greek somewhere in ,I think , Paul writings to Timothy or in Hebrews where Paul uses very word for what faith is and that word in old Greek was being used when a person buy a house as a contract paper or a proof on paper that a person DID bought a house. So actually Paul says that faith in God is as firm as that paper on where it is writtien that NN person bought a property! :-)
Max
You might find this interesting. Maybe I'll start using "Hosanna" more often.
Amen, Hallelujah / Alleluia, Hosanna, Maranatha
Word Meanings and Definitions
As long as you don't buy into the "BLAB IT AND GRAB IT"- Spiritual Deception abounds -you'll all be OK ;)
In the name of Yeshua.
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