Luke 18:1-43
How do we approach God? This question has motivated the founding of every religion known to man. We know that the only means by which man can approach God is through Christ and His death on the cross. Today's passage shows us how four different people approached God and as they do they teach us some truths about what God looks for in our lives as we come to Him.
HEALTHY DETERMINATION: The parable of the unrighteous judge makes me a little uncomfortable because the judge in this case represents God and any time we are comparing God do an unrighteous man it should make us a little uncomfortable. The point is that if even an unrighteous judge will grant justice to a poor woman who seeks him with persistent determination, how much more will God do for those who seek Him in prayer. I think that one of my greatest weaknesses in prayer is a lack of determination and persistence. We need not fear that God will tire of our asking. I believe He delights in requests for in so doing we are admitting our need of Him and confidence in His ability to grant our requests.
HUMBLE DISPOSITION: There are two men in this section both praying, but they approach God in two very different ways. The Pharisee is proud and his prayer is centered on his own greatness as compared to the tax collector. He has no concept of his own sinfulness and seems not to believe he needs anything from God. The tax collector, on the other hand, come in humility and knows that He greatly needs the help of God. His only hope is in the graciousness of God. This is how God wants each of us to approach Him. We must recognize that we posses no righteousness of our own apart from Christ and that our only hope is in Him. We must never become so impressed with our own behavior that we loose sight of our need for God's grace.
HAPPY DEDICATION: The rich young ruler approached Christ wanting to know what he could do to be saved. He, like the Pharisee was convinced he could earn favor with God on his own merits. Christ tests the man's claims of obedience by calling him to give his goods to the poor and follow Him. The man goes away sad revealing that he was not truly a worshiper of God but that he worshiped himself and his possessions. The point is that when we approach God we need to do so with our hands and hearts open to whatever He might require of us. He looks for men and women who will happily dedicate themselves fully to Him and whatever He desires. We are dedicated to Him because as the creator of the universe, He is worthy. We are happy in this service because He has promised rich reward on earth and in heaven for those who follow Him in this manner. He is always faithful, so any sacrifice He might as us to make ought to be met with rejoicing and not rejection.
HEARTY DESPERATION: I love the steadfast single mindedness of Bartimaus. He was blind and wanted to see. No embarrassment or ridicule would quiet him. He was desperate for the attention and healing that he knew only Christ could provide. I wonder, do we seek God with this same desperation over sins in our own lives from which we long to be free? Do we cry out for God to save our loved ones and the nations of the world with this kind of passion? How often do we find ourselves praying because we know we should, but in reality, our prayers are passionless and often pointless? We must take stock of our own spiritual condition and be driven in desperation to God that we might be made more like Christ. We must consider the plight of those who do not know Christ and desperately seek God's face that He might be merciful and save them. We are often blind to our true spiritual condition and unbelievers are blind to their need of a Savior. We must cay out to God in desperation that our, and their eyes might be opened.
HEALTHY DETERMINATION: The parable of the unrighteous judge makes me a little uncomfortable because the judge in this case represents God and any time we are comparing God do an unrighteous man it should make us a little uncomfortable. The point is that if even an unrighteous judge will grant justice to a poor woman who seeks him with persistent determination, how much more will God do for those who seek Him in prayer. I think that one of my greatest weaknesses in prayer is a lack of determination and persistence. We need not fear that God will tire of our asking. I believe He delights in requests for in so doing we are admitting our need of Him and confidence in His ability to grant our requests.
HUMBLE DISPOSITION: There are two men in this section both praying, but they approach God in two very different ways. The Pharisee is proud and his prayer is centered on his own greatness as compared to the tax collector. He has no concept of his own sinfulness and seems not to believe he needs anything from God. The tax collector, on the other hand, come in humility and knows that He greatly needs the help of God. His only hope is in the graciousness of God. This is how God wants each of us to approach Him. We must recognize that we posses no righteousness of our own apart from Christ and that our only hope is in Him. We must never become so impressed with our own behavior that we loose sight of our need for God's grace.
HAPPY DEDICATION: The rich young ruler approached Christ wanting to know what he could do to be saved. He, like the Pharisee was convinced he could earn favor with God on his own merits. Christ tests the man's claims of obedience by calling him to give his goods to the poor and follow Him. The man goes away sad revealing that he was not truly a worshiper of God but that he worshiped himself and his possessions. The point is that when we approach God we need to do so with our hands and hearts open to whatever He might require of us. He looks for men and women who will happily dedicate themselves fully to Him and whatever He desires. We are dedicated to Him because as the creator of the universe, He is worthy. We are happy in this service because He has promised rich reward on earth and in heaven for those who follow Him in this manner. He is always faithful, so any sacrifice He might as us to make ought to be met with rejoicing and not rejection.
HEARTY DESPERATION: I love the steadfast single mindedness of Bartimaus. He was blind and wanted to see. No embarrassment or ridicule would quiet him. He was desperate for the attention and healing that he knew only Christ could provide. I wonder, do we seek God with this same desperation over sins in our own lives from which we long to be free? Do we cry out for God to save our loved ones and the nations of the world with this kind of passion? How often do we find ourselves praying because we know we should, but in reality, our prayers are passionless and often pointless? We must take stock of our own spiritual condition and be driven in desperation to God that we might be made more like Christ. We must consider the plight of those who do not know Christ and desperately seek God's face that He might be merciful and save them. We are often blind to our true spiritual condition and unbelievers are blind to their need of a Savior. We must cay out to God in desperation that our, and their eyes might be opened.
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