Subscribe to our email list
Sometimes apologizing is seen as a weakness in our culture.
Sometimes apologizing is seen as a weakness in our culture.
March 29, 2016
Luke 18:13-14
 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
New International Version (NIV)
           “Discipleship is a process of paying more and more attention to God’s righteousness and less and less attention to our own.”  With this quote, Eugene Peterson captures the heart of Jesus’ parable.  Jesus spoke to people who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.  In this story he contrasts a Pharisee who was proud of himself and a tax collector who appealed for mercy.  
                Sometimes apologizing is seen as a weakness in our culture.  This runs contrary to genuine Christianity.  Christianity does not teach us to pretend perfection.  Instead our work is to recognize God’s perfection and to ask him for forgiveness for our failures.  Christians keep short accounts with God and each  other.  We confess our sins to God and to one another so that we can be healed.  
                Often I find Christianity counterintuitive.  Only as we humble ourselves are we exalted.  But if we exalt ourselves we will be humbled.  Our righteousness will never be enough to save us.  God’s righteousness will always be enough.   Let’s focus more on God’s righteousness than on our own.
Pray with me: 
God have mercy on us, sinners.  Teach us true humility.  Make us more like your perfect Son, we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
Scripture reading for today: 
Luke 18

Our Read Through the New Testament in One Year guide
is available at Tallowood Baptist Church.  Or click to download it!
About Dr. Duane Brooks Archive
Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved.