Title: Faith Approved by God (Luke 18:9)
Faith Approved by God
Luke 18:9-14
In ancient times there was a famous general named [Hannibal]. But he had only one eye. One day, he invited a painter to paint a portrait of himself. The artist painted the figure with one eye closed as a matter of fact. When Hannibal saw the painting, he said, “Who told you to draw me like this!” and ordered him to beheaded immediately. And I invited another painter to paint the portrait as well. Hearing a rumor that the artist who died first died because he did not paint one eye, this man painted a portrait with two eyes full. But this time, Hannibal got angry and said, “No, I have only one eye, so why did I draw two? This is not me, it is someone else.” He also beheaded. The painter, who has now been called for the third time, was able to save his life with his wisdom. He drew a profile of Hannibal so that one eye would not appear in the picture, and Hannibal was very satisfied with the picture.
Even with a single fact, it may or may not be true depending on which aspect you look at and where you focus your attention. So is happiness. It's not a criterion of how much you need to be happy, but it can be either happiness or unhappiness depending on what angle you look at it from. Depending on the direction of my thoughts, I may succeed or I may fail. No matter how many others say they have failed, there are people who succeed, and there are also people who fail even though others say they have succeeded. The question is where is the limit of the person's thinking and how awake the person's consciousness is. If you look closely, there are people who are happy until the end and there are people who are unhappy until the end. Why? Actually, I was happy. However, because the thoughts and consciousness that could realize that happiness and the consciousness that could accept it were asleep, I made that precious happiness into unhappiness myself. So that's sad. So there is resentment. So it's heartbreaking.
So, what is the most important concern that humans should have? That's right. Living righteously, this is the biggest problem. Please think about it. Let's say we here have just died. It's time to die, is your fortune of any use? Is longevity worthwhile? What good is knowledge or honor? The most important thing is only one. What is it? There is only “How will I stand before God?” There must be the end, and only then can we be proud before God.
Well, there are three things. The first is. It means that I have a righteousness that I have established for myself according to my worldview, my philosophy, my experience, my stubbornness, and my conscience. That is absolute. I try not to be affected by anything else. He does not allow any invasion of anything except his own. And that is the standard for judging the right or wrong of everything.
On the other hand, the second is. I'm really curious what other people think of me. It is the righteousness that makes me compare myself as better or worse in my relationship with my neighbors or with other people. And it is the righteousness that I want to be recognized in that comparison. So be still. Most people would rather get it. Rather than trying to justify himself, he secretly hopes that others will call him righteous. If you pay attention to it, the truth will be lacking and you will be unhappy in the end.
The last third of righteousness is there. It is to live without breaking the way God has set and God wants us to live. It is the most desirable and the path of righteousness that we should pursue.
How wonderful it would be if a person could achieve all three of these righteousness in life. It is not easy to achieve this. I consider myself righteous. But other people don't recognize me. On the other hand, sometimes I admit it and other people also acknowledge me. But God does not approve. Another thing is that it is right for me and God justifies me, but people do not accept it. So, they are not accepted by the world. It is a lonely and lonely road. Nevertheless, there is only peace on this path. This is the way of martyrs and the way of saints. This way of being proud and being recognized by God, this value must belong to all of us. The lesson we need to learn from today's Word is the question of this righteousness. In particular, the most important thing is to achieve the righteousness that is accepted by God, so please read the Word deeply.
Think of those who received wonderful answers to prayers in the Bible. Some women just sobbed and cried. Some patients just screamed. Some people waited silently for Jesus' disposition. A woman, without a word, wet her feet with her tears. Another woman hung in a flock. And the tax collector in today's text prayed while beating his chest. Still, everyone got a response. What is the secret of that answer? That's really important. It was that their prayers lacked self-pride, that is, their own righteousness. I just want God's mercy. It is not simply a prayer of value offered with the mouth, but a prayer offered with the body. This is the secret to the answer.
Folks, it is a matter of religious values. A person who likes to show off his righteousness and pride can never give up everything. You can always get your money back and you can withdraw from it at any time, and keep a distance as much as you can and live your life of faith. Fortunately, they are non-religious people who live on their feet when their pride or self-righteousness works, but when they don't work, they quickly pull out their feet and turn around. It seems that everyone has a sense of wanting to make themselves stand out, look better, and appear more holy. It's a sense of distinction that you want to look a little special. But guys, I'm nothing special. being nothing. The Pharisees in today's text are very blatantly asserting their own righteousness. Verse 11. “I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, and not like this publican.” He is a very proud man.
Let's think about what Jesus said. Does everything come true if you pray a lot? God must listen. Is it good that I have done many good deeds? It is a good deed that must be received by God. It means nothing until God justifies you. Like the Pharisees today, I do not live with the desire to gain approval from God or from people by setting up my own righteousness somehow, but the important thing is to live as a person who receives God's approval even if I do not promote it.
Our prayers have too many words. There are too many wishes. There are so many promises. The lies I've uttered so far have piled up like a mountain. What more can I say? People who pray, people who worship, and people who live a life of faith are people who always stand before God. Only God and I have to think. “Lord, have mercy on me.” There is nothing else to do. This one word from true religious values suffices.
Dear saints,
Today, there is not a day in the world where I am not proud of myself. However, we must break free from our pride and unbelief that shows our righteousness. Please put our values on the enemy values. I hope you have the wisdom not to be arrogant because of your pride, and not to live a foolish life where you lose the reward you deserve because of your own righteousness.