Humble Faith

May 15, 2016 Background Scripture: Luke 18:9 – 14 Lesson Passage: Luke 18:9 – 14 In today’s lesson, Jesus talked about the role of humility in receiving answers to our prayers. Jesus’ instructions to his disciples give us a glimpse of the type of character expected of us as his followers. Too often, our challenge is not in knowing what is expected of us but in knowing how to achieve it. What God provides for us in His word is simple enough to receive but we often find it difficult to apply. One reason for the difficulty is that the bible clearly shows us where we fall short but it isn’t always as clear what the solution is to our shortcoming. Sometimes we don’t search diligently for the solution in the bible but rather begin to seek within ourselves for the answer. The bible is replete with warnings for us to not trust in our own strength, resources, intellect or any other thing that comes from within us. Unfortunately, those warnings frequently go unheeded; as we can see in the lesson. In today’s lesson, Luke described those that Jesus spoke to as trusting in themselves, self-righteous, and despisers of others. This description sets in contrast everything that is not associated with humility. People who rely on their own ability are often proud and far from humble. This can be true even when it doesn’t show in their general disposition or isn’t verbalized by them. Pride gives a sense of self-worth that doesn’t see the need for assistance from others. This comes across in the parable Jesus related about the praying Pharisee who did not ask anything of God but spent his time thanking God because he believed that he was different than other people. He listed all of his great qualities that prove his piety. When people view their personal qualities by a standard that comes from within them, it is easy for them to measure up and excel against that standard. If I am my own standard then I will always be okay. This leads to another characteristic of those listening to Jesus’ parable. Because of their self-righteousness, they looked down on others who did not measure up to them. In their pride they had become vain. They stood in need of God’s mercy and did not know it because their pride made them feel sufficient without it. This attitude of sensing no need of anything from God left them believing that all that they had already become was sufficient for God. Their prayers were completely without faith and dependence on God. It was impossible for them to please God and perhaps they did not know it. In the same parable, Jesus presented a publican who saw himself as a sinner before God and petitioned God for mercy even as he afflicted himself. Then Jesus plainly stated that the publican left the temple in right standing with God and the Pharisee did not. This parable makes it clear that how we see ourselves before God determines how we pray. And how we pray to God determines our standing with Him. We all stand in need of mercy. Humility demands that we look to God alone for mercy—especially as it pertains to His expectation of us. Our prayer of faith should be in humility. Robert C. Hudson April 27, 2016