To Pray as the Publican

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, erers, 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.
—Luke 18:9-14 (KJV)

This is a humbling passage in the Gospel of Luke, and it reminds us to examine our hearts as believers in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees made known their religious affections. However, the religious piety of the Pharisees was really a façade for pretense of piety that they might receive the glory of one another.

The publican in this parable, on the other hand, was humble and contrite in his admission of his own sinfulness. I am a sinner, confesses the publican, as he pleas for the Lord's mercy. May we all learn to humble ourselves as the publican, and plea for God's mercy. It is quite easy to stand self-righteously. No doubt, self-righteousness gets the best of every Christian. If one made a list of do's and do nots, it is easy to find oneself in good standing in one's own eyes. However, would it change the fact that such a person is a sinner? "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away" (Isa. 64:6). In sum, our best works are like filthy rags in God's eyes.

So, may we confess our sinfulness and look to the tender mercies and grace of Almighty God. Without God's grace, we can do no good works, hence Ephesians 2:10. Yet all the more we should strive for good works, through divine enabling, accomplished through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We do so, not for the glory of men, but for love for our Father in Heaven.