Timeless Truths. Keep Your Distance. An after Lent message

Jesus gave us the “rules” to live by. They are completely contrary to “the norm” of the world.

Keep Your Distance

Distance from someone—near or far—is not a true measure of the closeness of the relationship.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9-14

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5:5-6

Luke 18:9-14 is a parable of CONTRASTS.

But the tax collector stood at a distance. The underlined phrase is all one word in Greek.

• Humility OPENS the DOOR to GRACE, and GRACE is the bridge we need to connect with God.

Humility is . . .

A PURSUIT, NOT A POSTURE. Humble people are secure where they are.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed [about himself]

• Pride hinders our relationship with God and with others.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Humility is . . .

A LIFESTYLE NOT, LIP SERVICE. Humility has to be more than just words.

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.

• This man was not only distant from God, he was also distant from his Jewish brothers.
• Other people are not to be our standard.

‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

• Biblically humble people are magnetic to others, drawing them to God.

Humility is . . .

AN ASSIGNMENT, NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. Biblical humility is not the same as self-esteem.

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

• God’s best gifts are for those willing to stoop and be humble.
• Humility is not a spiritual gift. It’s not part of the fruit of the spirit. It’s not a goal of prayer.

You must choose humility.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

• Humility demonstrates a trust in God’s timing.
• For some people, humility is a moment-to-moment battle.

HUMILITY IS THE BRIDGE TO RECEIVING GRACE AND EXTENDING GRACE.

Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for the primary teaching in this Timeless Truth.

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