God’s Supreme Court of Justice — Part 3
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (Revelation 20: 11a).
In the previous devotion, we closed by reminding us that this God of amazing grace, marvelous mercy, and astounding love is equally a God of inflexible justice, undiluted wrath, and holy vengeance. Multitudes of verses within the New Testament clearly and concisely describe the coming judgment and wrath of God.
In Luke 13:3, the Lord Jesus warned, saying, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” He also spoke of a wide gate of counterfeit conversion, which leads to a broad road of religious deception, whose destination will be everlasting destruction in an eternal furnace of fire. Jesus declared that “the wrath of God abides on the unconverted.” Paul cautioned that “the unredeemed are storing up wrath” every day that they live and breathe and fail to enter into a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He also alerted us that “The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven, with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” So, in the next few devotions, we will take a very serious and sobering gaze at “God’s supreme court of justice.” We will observe the courtroom, the Judge, the defendants, the attorney, the evidence, the verdict, and the sentence.
Let’s begin by focusing on the COURTROOM. Notice: “I saw a great white THRONE”. I submit that the throne depicts the SOVEREIGN PURPOSE of this courtroom scene. The Lord of lords and the Judge of judges will make His final pronouncements on the eternal destinies of the souls of sinners from His throne. Friend, this could have been a “throne of grace” that these sinners could have come to the Savior, for the salvation of their souls. This could have been a “throne of government”, before which they could have bowed their lives to the Lordship of Jesus. This could have been a “throne of glory”, before which they could have worshiped the Lord Jesus with their lives. But because they have rejected the throne of grace, government, and glory, it will be a throne of judgment.
On that day, the entire intelligent universe will bow its knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every sinner is invited to confess “Jesus as Lord” unto the conversion of their soul. But if they fail to confess Jesus as Lord unto their conversion, they will eventually confess Jesus as Lord, unto the eternal condemnation of their soul.
Moreover, please notice the STRONG POWER of this courtroom. “I saw a GREAT white Throne.” This throne is called great because all power and authority have been granted to the One who is seated on this throne. Friends, this is the seat of omnipotent royalty. The One who occupies this seat is the Lord who possesses unlimited authority and unchallenged sovereignty. There have been many earthly thrones that have appeared to be great in the eyes of the world. Our planet has seen a multiplicity of dictators, kings, presidents, and potentates. But all of their regimes have been limited in power and/or duration. All have concluded in either death, defeat, disgrace, or some other form of dismissal. Oh, but the One seated on this eternal throne is infinitely mighty and sovereignly strong in absolute and universal authority. Why is this throne called “great”? Because the Lord who resides on it is infinitely great!
GOD’S SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE — Part 2
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
History depicts a Roman Emperor named Brutus. This Roman dictator discovered a conspiracy to overthrow his empire's dominant rule! In the midst of his authorized investigation, Brutus was shocked when he unearths the overwhelming evidence that his own ‘two sons’ were the ringleaders of the conspiracy! The sentence for treason required a certain execution. By Roman Law, the emperor was required to sit in on the verdict, the sentencing, and the capital punishment of his own two sons.
As the sentencing commenced, the crowds begged Brutus to relax the standard of justice and show mercy on his only two sons. Even more heart-wrenching voices were from his two sons pleading for mercy from their father, calling out to him using all sorts of endearing names. However, it was Brutus’s sworn duty to sit on the court as a just judge and execute justice. As Emperor, he was compelled by Roman Law to judge and condemn his own flesh and blood. He was legally bound to sentence both of his sons to execution. So, I am stating that, “the most powerful feelings and emotions of a father were overruled by his sense of duty as a just judge! It was said in the trial that, “The father was lost in the judge!” Please allow those stirring words to sink deep within you.
God extends His gracious and merciful offer of salvation to a world of treasonous rebels who deserve to suffer the 2nd death. Furthermore, the Lord God offers this glorious salvation on His Son’s terms alone, so that they may receive mercy. Howbeit, if rebel transgressors continue to reject or neglect the magnificent Gospel offer, there will come a point in the time in that mutinous sinner’s life when all opportunities will cease. This passage clearly teaches that “every unconverted sinner will face the deadly and damning strike of the undiluted justice and unrelenting wrath of God, without one ounce of mercy! God the Son will execute His just animosity and holy hostility against that unconverted sinner far more powerfully, precisely, and permanently than Brutus ever could!
Already, most reading these words are feeling uneasy. We don’t even desire to entertain the thoughts that “One day soon, the Holy God of the universe will cast untold millions of people into the eternal terror and torment of the lake of fire. Our very nature tends to be insensitive to the brevity of life; to the inevitability of death; the reality of God’s wrath; and the eternity of hell! But when one is involved in only a surface inspection of the Old Testament, they would quickly realize that the wrath of God is demonstrated throughout its pages. Consider the flood in Noah’s days, when the entire existing population of humanity was drowned under the wrath of God (with the sole exception of Noah and his immediate family, the ones who did not reject God)! We could also consider the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, when God rained down fire and brimstone on those unrepentant cities. Ponder the outcome of “Pharaoh’s Egyptian army”, which was swept away by the wrath of God, drowning in the Red Sea.
Some may be wrongly thinking, “Well, Ed, God was a God of justice, wrath, and vengeance in the Old Testament era. But now, in the New Testament, He is a God of grace, mercy, and love! “Oh, friends, God was a God of grace then. Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord. God was a God of mercy then. Lot experienced the mercy of God, as he was literally dragged out of Sodom. Israel experienced the rescuing love of God as they were delivered through crossing the Red Sea. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. We must never forget that God is a God of love, grace, and mercy, and equally a God of holiness, justice, and wrath! We must never attempt to reduce God to our standards. God is God who does not change.
GOD’S SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE — Part 1
In our previous devotional series, we reflected on the contrasts between the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. We observed that unless a person sees themselves as a spiritually bankrupt beggar, they will never come to the Lord Jesus on His Gospel conditions. Yet, we must also be reminded that every sinner who rejects or neglects the Gospel duties of repentance and faith will be eternally accountable at the “Great White Throne Judgment”. With this truth in mind, this next devotional series will address that vital issue.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
A number of years ago, I recall an incident while preaching an evangelistic crusade in a particular area of India. One of the pastors involved in the crusade invited me to his home for a meal. He and his wife welcomed me into their home and kindly said, “Please consider our home as your home. However, I must warn you not to go into our backyard. Recently, we have killed several cobras in our backyard.” He continued with this warning, “If one of those cobras were to strike, you would certainly die before we could get to the nearest hospital.” Now, allow me to present a question? Do you think that the Indian pastor’s warning to me was an expression of his love and concern? Or, would you say that he was being a harsh and cruel man in issuing this warning? Isn’t the answer obvious for all to perceive!
Likewise, in this sobering passage from Revelation, God expresses His compassionate concern for sinners by issuing an ominous warning of the judgment and wrath that are coming upon all who refuse to turn from their sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God describes that last great inquest, when the Holy Judge of the universe will call His supreme court into session.
There is coming a day when all of the unconverted must stand, in spiritual nakedness of their utter sinfulness, before the “Great White Throne Judge”. All of their thousands of sins against God will be exposed. There will be no argument about guilt or innocence. There will be only the presentation of evidence and the declaration of the verdict. Consequently, every person present at that Judgment will know the deadly strike of God’s holy animosity, just hostility, and righteous indignation.
Upon a serious study of the book of Revelation, one will understand that (in many ways) it is a book of Mystery, because it speaks of coming events. Moreover, it is a book of Majesty, because it speaks of a coming King! However, it is also a book of Misery, because it defines a coming judgment upon all who have not obeyed the Gospel terms.
Oh, how sinners need to be lovingly warned of this coming appointment. May I say that born-again believers desperately need to be reminded that ‘the unconverted people, within their sphere of influence, are headed for a catastrophic condemnation, if they fail to enter into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ’. How can we not warn them of their impending doom if they reject or neglect God’s warning?
Ed Lacy Ministries – Striving to do God's work, God's way, for God's Glory
edlacyministries.org
The Amazing Grace of God A Ten Part Video Study Watch The Life Which Glorifies God A 12 Part Study on John 15:1-9 Listen The Beatitudes The Key to Supreme Happiness, and Spiritual Prosperity Listen Th...
RELIGIOUS BUT LOST OR PENITENT AND JUSTIFIED? — Part 6
"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 18:13-14).
Previously, we observed that in this parable, the two individuals differed radically in their conception of God and their perception of themselves. Today, let's consider how they 'DIFFERED RADICALLY IN THEIR APPREHENSION OF HOW A MAN CAN BE ACCEPTED BY GOD'.
The Pharisee had deceived himself, concluding that he could be accepted by God based on "who he is, what he does, and what he does not do!" His life was a tragic illustration of Romans 10:3: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." This lost religionist had refused to subject his life to the only acceptable righteousness. Only the Person and the work of Jesus Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. However, this lost religionist had utterly failed to seek the only righteousness, which is a perfect righteousness, that God will accept. That is righteousness which God the Son wrought, through the perfectly righteous life that He lived on this earth.
There is only One who walked on this planet and wrought a perfectly righteous life. There is only One who was tempted in all points, such as we are, and yet without sin! There is only One, whom God the Father made to be the sinless substitutionary sacrifice; so that 'repenting and believing sinners' could not only know the ultimate blessing of having all of their sins cast into the sea of God's forgetfulness, but the same sinner could be graced with the "imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ."
In direct contrast to the self-righteousness of the Pharisee, the publican had been convicted of a true knowledge of himself. He had come to the stark revelation that there was absolutely nothing that he could 'be, do, or not do' to make himself acceptable before a perfectly righteous God. So he cried out, "God, be MERCIFUL to me the sinner." Friend, when digging a little deeper into this word "merciful", you can discover that this is not the ordinary word which would be translated "merciful".
The Greek word translated as merciful in the tax collector's prayer is 'propitious'! That term describes, "God turning away His just wrath, by accepting the substitutionary sacrifice of an innocent victim!" The publican would not lift his eyes toward Heaven. Oh, but most probably his eyes were transfixed on the altar, where innocent lambs were daily sacrificed 'in the place of and on behalf of' guilty and needy sinners? This convicted and condemned publican was covered with the profound reality that, "If God does not remove his sin and turn away His wrath, that God's just animosity and holy hostility will utterly and eternally consume him."
Consequently, he cried out, "God, be propitious to me. God, appease your just wrath that is abiding over my sinful life. God, please apply Your atoning sacrifice to me." This publican knew that 'the soul that sins shall surely die'. He had to have perceived the biblical truth that 'these millions of animal sacrifices, which others had offered throughout His nation's history, could never grant the full and final appeasement that he desperately needed.' Yet, with this cry, he had also come to grasp the glorious truth that God would provide an innocent sacrifice that would fully satisfy God's justice and wholly appease God's wrath.
Oh, dear reader, the writer of Hebrews 2:17: "Therefore, in all things He (Jesus) had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make PROPITIATION for the sins of the people." Jesus, the One teaching this parable, would soon march to Calvary's cross. And there, in the three hours of supernatural blackness of darkness, He would make propitiation on behalf of every 'repenting and believing sinner'! He would satisfy the justice of God for all who will ever come to the Lord Jesus on His conditions. God the Son would soon appease the wrath of God on behalf of every sinner who would ever be converted. This tax collector understood the theology and glorious truth of substitution, imputation, and atonement. That is precisely what he was pleading, "God, be propitious toward me, the sinner."
Friend, have you issued this prayer? Are you like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Have these glorious truths of the Person and work of Jesus' substitutionary death, imputing His perfect righteousness on the life account of those who have repented and genuinely believed in Him alone to atone for your sin debt?
RELIGIOUS BUT LOST OR PENITENT AND JUSTIFIED? — Part 5
"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 18:13-14).
Let's continue today by observing the words in this parable of Jesus. Already, in past devotions, we have considered the radical difference in these two men, in their conception of God and their perception of themselves. So far, the primary focus has been on 'the Pharisee's deceptive perception of God and himself'. Let's now consider the tax collector's realistic self-perception.
Even though the tax collector's words were few, there were profound realities. His words, offered to God in a brief prayer, covered essential truths: God, the sinner, mercy (propitiation), and forgiveness! The tax collector called out to the Lord with a Spirit-produced awareness of the spiritual issues concerning his own eternal soul, unlike the Pharisee, who was focused only on external religious activities.
Moreover, notice that the tax collector was 'standing afar off' from the holy place. This man sensed the 'great spiritual chasm' which was fixed between God (in His majestic holiness) and himself (in his miserable wretchedness). As a direct consequence, he felt the full weight of his alienation from God. This was revealed by him not so much as 'lifting up his eyes' to heaven. Please understand, it was a long-standing tradition for the Jews to lift their eyes and their hands to the heavens in prayer. But this man refused to lift his eyes because of the conviction and contrition that was heavy on his heart. Certainly, one in this condition would have eyes streaming with tears of godly sorrow, which produce repentance and lead to salvation.
Likewise, instead of lifting his hands, observe how he was using them. He was 'beating on his breast'. Behind that breast was the inner source of his lifetime of sins against God. For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander, and thousands of other sins of commission and omission. The "beating on his breast" was a gesture that demonstrated extreme sorrow and anguish. This man, whom Jesus is describing, would be a person graced with a realistic perception of his own sinfulness. His location demonstrates it, his posture demonstrates this, and his behavior reveals it.
The Spirit of God had exposed the desperate wickedness of the tax collector's heart. Consequently, he is thoroughly shattered over the shame of his guilt. He was crushed and humbled before the Lord God. Even last night, I had the privilege of witnessing to a man who was manifesting that he was in the same heart condition as this publican. He, too, needed the Spirit of God to open his blind eyes and darkened heart to see the Holiness of God, and that he needs God's mercy to forgive him of his sin against God.
The next statement in verse 13 is the call for help that only God can grant. "God, have mercy on me THE SINNER!" The proud, self-righteous Pharisee spoke as if he had no sins to confess, but only virtues to parade before God and man. Oh, but out of the broken and contrite heart of the tax collector, he was compelled to declare spiritual bankruptcy and seek mercy from the God of all grace. The tax collector perceived himself to be 'the sinner of all sinners', or as Paul once said about himself, "the chief of all sinners."
Furthermore, the tax collector demonstrated faith by going directly to the only source of mercy! If a person is under the heavy weight of conviction of sin (but without faith in his heart), that profundity of guilt drives the sinner AWAY from God. Oh, but if God graces a sinner, not only with a heart to mourn over their sin, but also with a heart to believe in an atoning sacrifice, that revelation draws the sinner TO the Lord.
Think of that statement intently: "God, have MERCY on me, the sinner." Friend, the prayer of the publican was a personal appeal for mercy, with eyes surely wet with the dew of repentance. He knew that he was guilty, convicted, and condemned. He understood that his only hope was to cast himself on the mercy of the Court. In addition, being in the temple's location, this one had certainly seen the morning and evening sacrifices. His eyes were probably fixed on the blood, which would have been still present on the altar. As a result of what he was seeing (with the eyes of his awakened heart), he cried out to the Lord in true penitence. "HAVE MERCY on me, the sinner!"
WALKING IN VICTORY IN THE REIGN OF GRACE
“KNOWING; BELIEVING; RECKONING AND PRESENTING” — Part 5
“Likewise you also, RECKON YOURSELVES to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
The word “RECKON” commands the believer to carefully consider these truths we have been covering in these devotions and make a personal affirmation of them, in your inner man. Individualistically, you must avow to these spiritual realities by faith, from your heart.
Notice, these truths are not only intellectually ascertained with your mind, but are to be experientially a work of your heart of hearts, by faith in the promises of your Lord and Savior. A believer is to “RECKON” these truths of Romans 6 to be authentically trustworthy. Thoughtfully and purposefully, these truths are to be counted on as the Word of God distinctly reveals them, making spiritual affirmation of these truths in the inner core of your being.
Then, take your stand (by faith) on the powerful promises that God has declared. This is not a matter of feelings, for emotional feelings will come and go. This speaks of one banking on the biblical facts, as God presents them. Therefore, this is about ‘acting on what you have found to be true, because the God of truth has proclaimed that it is true.
The word ‘RECKON’ is a rich word that instructs the born-again believer to consider himself to be what God declares that he now is, being in union with the Lord Jesus Christ! It comes from a Greek word used specifically in bookkeeping and, more generally, in mathematics. For example, if the bank shows that I have $1,000 on hand in my account, the clerk records that amount on the positive side of my ledger. This is documented as a statement of fact. I can RECKON that statement is true, based on the bank’s records. Similarly, that is the picture for a believer. It has nothing to do with how you may feel. It is a statement of factual evidence!
Consider for a moment that you have set your alarm clock for 6 a.m., because you have an early appointment. However, when the alarm sounds in the morning, you feel like you have only slept for a couple of hours. So you get up and check your phone to make sure it is 6 a.m. If the phone coincides with your alarm clock, and it is 6 in the morning, you had better put aside your feelings, and RECKON that these two clocks are evidence of the truth!
Likewise, the Word of truth declares to every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ that, “The factual truth that your old man has been crucified with Christ!” So, isn’t it time that you conducted a funeral for your old man, who was in union with fallen Adam? Isn’t it time to reckon what God has said to be a spiritual fact about that old man? Isn’t it time to appropriate this powerful promise by faith, no matter what you feel like? A believer has been raised with the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. So, isn’t it high time, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to “walk in this newness of life?”
The Bible calls on born-again believers to count on the factual reality that “their sins have been imputed to Jesus’ account, being thoroughly judged at the Cross.” Moreover, God’s Word calls on those who belong to Him to reckon on the truth that Jesus’s perfect righteousness (which He wrought on this earth) has been imputed to their account. “But to him who does not work, but BELIEVES on Him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH (in the person and work of Jesus Christ) is counted for righteousness. Oh, how can we, as believers, neglect or forget this glorious imputation?
This is the truth of the Word of God. Have you believed it, unto your justification? Then, in like manner, Paul is calling on you in verse 11, to “count on the biblical truth (By FAITH) that ‘you are dead to sin, but alive unto God in Jesus Christ the Lord.’” You are called to “count on what you already know to be true; because the Word of God declares that it is true.” And God is not a man that He should lie.
“Think on these words, ‘RECKON YOURSELF’. Believers are commanded to count on the promise of God that, “what is true of Jesus’ PHYSICAL death, burial, resurrection and ascension, is also true of your SPIRITUAL death, burial, resurrection and ascension! Your old man (the person who you were before conversion, in union with Adam and under the tyranny of sin) has died. You are a new creation in Christ. You have been raised to walk in newness of life. You are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. You must think deeply about these truths and contemplate these verities.
Precious one, please consider the tremendous implications of these amazing promises. Allow these truths to grip your soul. Then, as a direct result, you must reckon yourself to be dead to the mastery of sin, but alive unto the mastery of your Lord and Savior!
RELIGIOUS BUT LOST OR PENITENT AND JUSTIFIED? — Part 4
"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).
We have previously observed the biblical truth that these two individuals DIFFERED RADICALLY IN THEIR CONCEPTION OF GOD! Furthermore, we are in the midst of considering that these two individuals DIFFERED RADICALLY IN THEIR PERCEPTION OF THEMSELVES. The religious Pharisee was utterly poisoned and deceived with self-confidence, self-assurance, and self-congratulation. He did not need to attend the "so-called contemporary church of self-esteem". For his hopelessly wicked heart was already thoroughly corrupted with self-centeredness. This man did not need to read the fallacy in books such as "Your Best Life Now" or "Be a Better You"! He had already been spiritually infected with the wicked sin of "self-focus and self-congratulation". As a matter of fact, this man was in grave danger of "positive thinking" himself in eternal hell!
His so-called prayer (which was no prayer at all) was basically a prayer 'to himself and about himself'. He never really prayed to God, even though he used God's name. Notice Jesus' words, "The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself." Certainly, he would have taken a position on the temple grounds, as close to 'center stage' as possible. Not only did he desire to be seen by everyone, but also to receive the congregation's attention and adulation. He had no sense of his utter inadequacy to appear before the God of the universe. He possessed no inkling of his spiritual bankruptcy in the presence of a thrice-holiest Lord. Consequently, there was no evidence of any contrition in his heart. As a result, there was no hunger and thirst to be made right with God. He imagined that his religious performance made him right with God! This self-righteous Pharisee had never known what it was to experience and express conviction, contrition, and conversion.
Consider the following scenario for a moment. A man who goes to his doctor for a yearly checkup. The doctor enters the room and asks the patient, "How have you been doing?" The patient immediately responds, "Frankly, doctor, I am absolutely fine. I feel in superb health. When I looked in the bathroom mirror this morning, I noticed that my muscular system was excellent throughout my entire body. As I drove to this appointment, I was inhaling and exhaling perfectly. Moreover, I can eat whatever I want, and my digestive system appears to be functioning perfectly. I would further say that my circulatory system seems to be functioning at peak efficiency. I have no pains, no infections, and no hidden diseases. Doc, I am not like the other patients that you are about to examine. I noticed that there are a lot of tough cases sitting in your waiting area. But as for me, I feel no need for you; I am doing fine on my own, and I am the picture of perfect health."
Oh, but if this man would only shut his mouth for a moment and allow the doctor to conduct his examination and respond, he would soon hear these alarming words, "Your blood pressure is dangerously high! You have developed adult-onset diabetes! There is a lump in your lymph nodes that is very unusual in shape and size. We must run an MRI and a CT scan immediately." See, this man is looking at the external, what he thinks is right. He doesn't see the dangers and needs going on inside. Also, he lacks the knowledge or experience to serve as an examiner. He is deceived. Only the physician is qualified for that. Likewise, only the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus, can give you the correct analogy of the heart's condition. And only the Great Physician possesses the cure.
In direct contrast, the tax collector's perception of himself was radically different from the Pharisee's! The publican said absolutely nothing about himself, except for his declaration of spiritual bankruptcy and his passionate plea for mercy! Supernaturally, that man was graced to perceive that he deserved the unmitigated wrath of God. He said nothing in an attempt to justify or make excuses for his sin. He did not dare lift his "tear-filled eyes" toward heaven. His utterance was a transparent confession of his genuine condition: a lost sinner before a holy God. He knew that none but the God of mercy and grace could remove the burden of his sin and guilt. So, he directed his prayer of penitence to one place and one alone. He prayed to the God of mercy and grace!
RELIGIOUS BUT LOST OR PENITENT AND JUSTIFIED? — Part 3
"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).
In the prior devotion, we began to consider that these two individuals DIFFERED RADICALLY IN THEIR CONCEPTION OF GOD! The Lord Jesus informs in this parable that, "the Pharisee was trusting in himself, that he was righteous." This man was in the dangerous condition of possessing an extremely low view of God and a deceptively high view of himself. Millions of people in our culture have this same viewpoint, having been contaminated with a low view of God and possessing a high view of themselves.
I will never forget a particular Gospel encounter that I had with a certain man, because of his response. When I confronted him with his sinfulness before the moral law of God, he foolishly responded, "Sir! I may be a sinner! But I am a GOOD SINNER!" I countered that dangerous assessment of himself with this illustration, "Young man, imagine that we are digging around in your backyard, and unearth approximately 50 worms, which are squirming in the dirt. However, there is one worm (in the midst of the other 49 worms) who is 'standing upright! Not only is he standing upright, but this worm is also a 'speaking worm'! Then, both of us began to overhear this worm talking to himself as he looked down at the other worms. That 'standing and speaking worm' rehearsed to himself, "I may be a worm, but I am a pretty good worm, as compared to the other worms." Then I stated to this self-righteous and self-deceived young man, "One worm compared to another worm is still a worm! Similarly, one sinner compared to other sinners is still a sinner!" See, this young man possessed the same self-righteous attitude and self-deceived heart as the Pharisee in Jesus' parable. Just like the Pharisee, this young man's self-righteousness flowed from his fraudulently "inferior view of God"!
Friend, the Creator God of the universe is so perfectly holy that even the seraphim (the holy angels) must hide their faces in His presence. God is so pristinely holy that when Job (the godliest man of his era) encountered the Lord, he cried out, "I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." God is so absolutely and astoundingly holy that when the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord, he called down a curse on himself. He cried, "I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean (liken to a leper) lips!" Isaiah was coming to pieces in the presence of the Holy Lord God!
For this reason, who would be so deluded as to imagine that "this Holy Lord God could ever be appeased on the basis that a certain worm (sinner) may not be quite as rotten and dirty as the other worms (sinners)? Because of the unbiblical view of God, notice the arrogance of this lost religionist, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector." Foolishly, the Pharisee fantasized that God would be favorable to him based on his moral performance, when compared to other sinners in his sphere of influence! But dear reader, he was hoodwinked by his own self-righteousness. In actuality, he was trusting in who he is; what he does; and what he does not do, not in who Jesus is and what Jesus does and continues to do in an authentic believer!
Even in our day, many people mistakenly believe that something they have done or are doing can earn them credibility with God. For instance, "Oh God, I repeated a sinner's prayer some years ago. I raised a hand at the request of a preacher. I walked down an aisle during an invitation song. I have been baptized. I am a member of a particular church. I am presently involved in some impressive religious activity." Did you notice that those previous sentences were poisoned with "I's, what they have done"? These people are not trusting in who God the Son is or what He has accomplished. They are trusting in something they have done or are doing!
Oh, but notice the contrast with the publican. He had been mightily drawn to a legitimate concept of God. From his right view of God, it produces a bona fide perception of himself. He was convicted of his heart condition of abject spiritual poverty. He had come to know a "godly sorrow" because he had seen that he was a sinner against God! He knew that if the Lord didn't have mercy on him, he would be eternally condemned to hell! Consequently, this brought him to cry out to the Lord, "Have mercy on me, THE SINNER!"
Take careful note that this was not some casual superficial admission admitting that he was a sinner. This man, under the convicting work of the Spirit of God, realized that he was the sinner of all sinners! He had been graced with a high view of God in His holiness, and a realistic conception of himself in his own wretchedness and wickedness! Now pondering these tremendous truths, may I ask, "Which of these 'diametrically opposing heart attitudes' represents your heart? Is the attitude of your heart like that of the Pharisee or that of the tax collector?
RELIGIOUS BUT LOST OR PENITENT AND JUSTIFIED? — Part 2
"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).
In the previous devotion, I stated that every false religious system that has ever positioned itself on this planet is a system that trusts in some combination of 'human achievement, human religiosity, or human merit'. However, the Lord Jesus declares a horrific truth that every moralist and religionist must face one day. They will encounter God's truth that "no man is right with God, because of their own inherent sinful nature.
Furthermore, there is nothing that man can accomplish (in and of themselves) to grant them acceptance before God and approval in His holy presence. As we begin to dissect this powerful passage, we will find several radical contrasts between "the heart of this religious, but lost Pharisee," and the heart of this penitent and justified tax collector."
First, notice that these two individuals DIFFERED RADICALLY IN THEIR CONCEPT OF GOD! The Pharisee was up to his eyeballs in religious affiliation, religious attendance, and religious activities. He was living a ritualistic lifestyle, which was meticulous in its external appearance of morality and religious involvement. However, he was poisoned with pride, self-righteousness, and self-deception. And why? Because this individual possessed an 'extremely high view of himself and a perilously low view of God'! Foolishly, he imagined that he could 'earn brownie points' with a Holy Lord God, through his empty religiosity and his self-perceived level of morality. Even though he was extremely religious, he was destitute of a saving knowledge of God. When a person has the wrong view of God, it will always lead to a wrong view of themselves.
Consequently, because he had a trivial concept of God, he had a wrong view of God's ways. He fallaciously envisioned that he could earn favor from a Holy God! Remember, in this parable, the Lord was describing "those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous." This category includes every person who has the erroneous belief that they are going to heaven because of their 'fantasized good works', whether those works are religious or moral. God's standard for entrance into His presence in glory is perfect righteousness. Jesus said, "Be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." Tragically, many self-righteous people have a similar unbiblical conception of God! So they never come to discover that their self-perceived righteousness falls miserably short of God's requirement of divine righteousness!
On the other hand, the tax collector possessed a "high view of God and a realistic view of himself." This man had come to the personal realization that he was a "sinner and nothing but a sinner" in comparison to Holy God. The Spirit of God had brought this tax collector to a position of spiritual bankruptcy before God. Graciously, he was brought to the place where he realized that he was a man separated from God. He was spiritually desperate, and he realized it. Consequently, he knew he must be totally dependent on God's grace and mercy if he was going to be made right with God. He understood his need for God's mercy and grace to forgive his sin and to give him the righteousness he could not obtain on his own. He cries, "Be merciful to me, a sinner!"
Closely observe, as a direct result of this conviction in his heart, he was bent over in a godly sorrow and self-loathing. This conviction was so intense that "he would not even dare to lift his eyes toward heaven," much less his head. He stood afar off from the holy things of the temple. He was actually beating on his breast in holy mourning, to express his own spiritual destitution in the presence of the pristine holiness of God. When this man had the right view of God, he gained the right view of himself, not in comparison to other sinners, but in comparison to God. He realized that there was an infinite distance between him (in his own wretchedness) and the Lord God (in His majestic righteousness and holiness). He identified himself as "THE SINNER"!
Ed Lacy Ministries – Striving to do God's work, God's way, for God's Glory
edlacyministries.org
The Amazing Grace of God A Ten Part Video Study Watch The Life Which Glorifies God A 12 Part Study on John 15:1-9 Listen The Beatitudes The Key to Supreme Happiness, and Spiritual Prosperity Listen Th...