Repent!

For Friday, May 5, 2023:

Luke 18:14 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The recurring theme here is that the last will be first, and the first will be last. This is serious, because we’re talking about our permanent destination in the hereafter. Jesus is comparing a confident Pharisee with a repentant tax collector.

In Jesus’ parable, the Pharisee doesn’t acknowledge that he is a sinner, so he’s not the least bit repentant. (He’s wrong – the Bible says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory!) Whereas the tax collector confesses his wrongs and begs for forgiveness. Jesus tells us that the repentant tax collector will come out on top!

Think about it: The Pharisee was exalting himself, telling God how good he was, while the tax collector was confessing before God just how bad he was. God, through his Son Jesus, can forgive any sin if we confess!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship