The Parable Of The Rich Man And The Tax Collector:
-"Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Commentary On Luke 18:9-14:
-Notice how the Pharisee had relied on his good deeds when he offered his prayer petitions to God, whereas the tax collector humbly approached Him by faith. Who of the two people returned home justified before the Lord, according to the parable taught by Jesus Christ? The answer is the humble, repentant tax collector. But if works contribute to our salvation, then how could any of this be possible? We learn from this parable that we are saved by faith apart from the merit of any righteous deeds. Salvation is something that we do not deserve. It is a gift. God's grace is completely unmerited. Additionally, Luke 18:9-14 demonstrates the ultimate failure of a works-based salvation: it gets to people's heads. The Lord Jesus Christ concluded His parable by saying, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Thus, Jesus plainly taught that no person should depend on his or her own imperfect righteousness to be justified by God. Our efforts to merit justification are futile. The just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:10-11; Hebrews 10:38)
