04/07/2020
π PHARISEE OR PUBLICAN ?
Luke 18:9-14
" The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all I possessed.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes upon heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. "
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PHARISEE.
- He prayed. Yes is good to pray. But his prayer was condemnation and self appraise.
- He thank God. Yes is good to thank God. But his thanking God was his ability.
Self righteousness does not pay, Beware !
The benefit that follow genuine repentance followed the publican and even David also.
The Question is: Are you really saved? Or you are just a Pharisee trying to pretend as Christian ?
Five steps to genuine Salvation.
1. Acknowledge that you are a sinner.
2. Accept Jesus as your Saviour who can save you from eternal damnation.
3. Believe that Jesus is the ONLY one that can save you and deliver you from all your sins.
4. Confess all the sins you used to commit to God.
5. Decided in your mind you will not go back into those sins anymore.
ALL THESE MUST BE DONE ON YOUR KNEE. AND YOU MUST CONFESSED THEM (those five steps) WITH YOUR MOUTH TO GOD ON YOUR KNEE. Do it with sincere heart to God. And you shall be free from being a Pharisee and you shall become like a publican who go home justified.
Chosen Generation.