Scripture to Read: Luke 18:9-14
The reason Jesus shared the parable in Luke 18:10-14 is that in Luke 18:9, we read, “and He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt.” There are still people today who trust in no one other than themselves, and they treat others with ridicule and hatred. People who think they are righteous apart from Christ are still lost in their sin. Even if someone could perform 10 billion righteous actions in their lifetime, they would still be considered unrighteous before our Holy God. God tells us in James 2:10, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” God lets us know that just one sin is enough to separate us from Him for all eternity. As good as people think they are, their goodness is like a filthy rag in the presence of our Perfect, Holy God. God says it this way in Isaiah 64:6 “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” Even what we think are righteous deeds, God deems as filthy and unworthy of Him. Our righteousness can only be found through a loving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father will never settle for anything less than a life completely surrendered to Christ alone.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about man’s definition of righteousness and God’s definition of righteousness?
2. How are you living on the righteousness of Christ each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!