Where's The Pharisee? #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Normankissinger #NK

RTTBROS

Where's The Pharisee #NormanKissinger #NK #RTTBROS #Nightlight Where's the Pharisee? A Mirror of Self-Righteousness "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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." - Luke 18:10-13 (KJV) In the days of our youth, many of us recall the popular "Where's Waldo?" puzzles adorning cereal boxes and children's books. We'd eagerly scan crowded scenes, searching for that distinctive figure in his red-and-white striped shirt and round glasses. Today, I invite you to embark on a different, more introspective search: "Where's the Pharisee?" Once upon a time, being labeled a Pharisee was one of the worst accusations in Christian circles. It implied hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and a judgmental spirit. We were all on high alert, quick to identify these traits in others while assuring ourselves we were nothing like those biblical figures Jesus so often rebuked. But in our eagerness to avoid the Pharisee label, did we miss a crucial point? The heart of being a Pharisee isn't about adhering to religious practices or following a set of rules. At its core, it's about believing that our own righteousness makes us acceptable to God, apart from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It's a subtle trap that ensnares not only the overtly religious but anyone who trusts in their own goodness or moral standing. Consider this challenging scenario: a kind, cookie-baking grandmother who's an atheist, versus a convicted serial killer who genuinely repents and accepts Christ at the end of his life. Our natural inclination might be to favor the "good" nonbeliever over the "evil" convert. But this inclination reveals the Pharisee within us, valuing human standards of goodness over God's ultimate judgment and mercy. The offense of the Gospel lies in its radical equality. It declares that both the outwardly righteous and the openly sinful stand in equal need of God's grace. Neither the grandmother's good deeds nor the criminal's heinous acts can tip the scales of divine justice. Only faith in Christ's righteousness can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. This truth should humble us profoundly. It strips away our pretenses and lays bare our desperate need for a Savior. We cannot rely on our acts of kindness, our religious observances, or our moral superiority. In God's eyes, the rebellion in our hearts is just as repugnant as the most shocking crimes that make headlines. The Pharisee test, then, is not about how well we follow religious rules or how "good" we appear to others. It's about our reaction to the idea that God's grace can reach even those we deem unforgivable, while those we consider "good people" might reject that same grace to their eternal peril. If we bristle at this thought, we've uncovered a streak of Pharisaical thinking in our own hearts. So where is the Pharisee? We need look no further than the nearest mirror. Our own self-righteousness, our subtle belief that we're "not as bad" as others, our shock at the extent of God's grace – these all reveal the Pharisee within. Recognizing this is the first step toward true humility and a deeper appreciation of God's mercy. As we minister to others, whether in formal settings or in our daily lives, let's remember our own need for grace. Let's be quick to extend mercy, slow to judge, and always pointing to the righteousness of Christ as our only hope. In doing so, we combat the Pharisee within and embrace the transformative power of the Gospel. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros