May 10, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Pharisee and the publican

Luke 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11  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. 12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

What does it take to be saved? Can religion save a person?

Worshiping the pope is idolatry. (Matthew 23:9)

Worshiping Mary is idolatry. (Luke 1:46-50) (Revelation 19:10)

Worshiping images and saints is idolatry. (Exodus 20:4-5)

Worshiping tradition is idolatry. (Mark 7:7)

Worshiping with beads and candles and sacraments is idolatry. (Hebrews 10:12)

Worshiping anything other than God in Christ Jesus is nothing more than a promotion of self righteousness and idolatry.

All of the listed venues of worship were developed to take ones trust and faith away from Christ Jesus giving the worshiper the idea that he or she is righteous in and of themselves. (Simply speaking, they believe they are ok because of what they have done for God as we see in our text.)

Luke 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The Pharisee, who fasted and prayed, in self righteousness, looked down upon the publican. He said, in essence, I am not like that guy I am righteous, more righteous than he is: he is saying God look at me and compare, see how good I am compared to the publican.

2Corinthians 10:12  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

If anyone is going to be righteous they must be righteous in Christ Jesus and Him alone, no pope, no Mary, no tradition, no relics, no sacraments.

Philippians 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The publican gives us great clarity for he simply humbled himself before God and declared himself a sinner.

Luke 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Justification and righteousness come from God and that through Jesus Christ.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The publican was humble before God and God recognized his humility and he was justified in the eyes of God.

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Don’t listen or believe in anything other than the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook