Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

1. Let us notice the sin against which our Lord Jesus Christ warns us in these verses.
2. Let us notice the prayer of the Pharisee, which our Lord condemns.
3. Let us notice the prayer of the tax-collector, which our Lord commends.
4. Let us notice the high praise which our Lord bestows on humility.

"The true cure for self-righteousness is self-knowledge. Once let the eyes of our understanding be opened by the Spirit, and we shall talk no more of our own goodness."

"Never are men's hearts in such a hopeless condition, as when they are not sensible of their own sins. He that would not make shipwreck on this rock, must beware of measuring himself by his neighbors."

"The tax-collector confessed plainly that he was a sinner. This is the very "A B C" of saving Christianity. We never begin to be good until we can feel and say that we are bad."

"All the Lord's people have not gifts or money. All are not called to preach, or write, or fill a prominent place in the church. But all are called to be humble. "

Questions:

1. We are told in these verses that self-righteousness is something we are born with as children of Adam. It is our default. The solution to self-righteousness, as Ryle points out, is self-knowledge: to know who we are in the sight of a holy God. How prevalent is this condition in our hearts? Do we often think well of ourselves because we look at others? This can also happen in the reverse: do we feel discouraged when we don’t measure up with others? How often do we look to God’s standard in judging ourselves?

2. Ryle says we are never in the way of salvation until we know that we are lost, ruined, guilty, and helpless, and then find mercy in Christ. Is this our experience?

3. Often the Bible tells us to clothe ourselves with humility, and Ryle says that humility is one thing we are all called to. Humility is not something we can think too much about, but as we look to the cross, we will be humbled and think more highly of our Lord, and consequently, others. Is humility the grounds of pride as we look for humility in our lives, or do we find it at the cross?