Pride v. Humility

I am about to step on some toes with this one, but here goes.  Most churches that follow the lectionary (big book of assigned daily bible readings) whether they're Episcopal, Anglican Catholic or AME, heard the following passage from Luke chapter 18 for the Gospel reading.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.  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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

When we approach God, do we find ourselves as the Pharisee or the Tax Collector?  Let's look a bit further.  The Pharisees were the ruling religious order.  They were the good guys.  The tax collectors exploited and cheated their own people and paid the Roman officials.  As people we have so much to be proud of, our heritage, education, job, family pedigree, spiritual life and church involvement.  All of which would not be possible if it were not for the grace of God.  Some of us tithe, pray every day, study and meditate on the word, and even fast.  But before we pontificate ourselves and trump our accomplishments.  Let us remember the words of the tax collector.  "Lord have mercy on me, a sinner."

As Christians, we are reformed sinners operating under the grace and love of God.  Regardless of your circumstances and accomplishments, you are a product of grace and power divine.  The almighty has bless you and kept you through so much.  But remember the words at the conclusion of the passage, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Sounds somewhat paradoxical?  The challenge for today is to operate in humility as we work to edify the body of Christ,

Peace,
Karsten