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Not- how did he die
But- how did he live
Not- what did he gain
But- did he give
These are the units to measure the worth of a man regardless of birth
Not- what was his station in life
But- had he a heart
And- how did he play his God given part
Was- he ever ready with a word of good cheer to bring back a smile, to vanish a tear
Not- what was his church
Nor- what was the creed
But- had he befriended those really in need
Not- what did the sketch in the newspaper and radio say
But- how may were sorry he passed away
These are the measure of a man…

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men” . . . everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luk_18:11, Luk_18:14)
The importance of Jesus’ teaching in our present verse can be seen in its being repeated on various occasions (Mat_23:12 and Luk_14:11). The instruction sets forth the universal inevitability of contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility. “Everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This particular proclamation of the message was given in a parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages humility. “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luk_18:9). The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a self-assured religious leader and a repentant publican. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector” (Luke 18:10). When the self-righteous Pharisee prayed, he was actually having a personal dialogue with himself, even though he vainly addressed his prayer to God?! “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself” (Luk_18:11). He then appears to begin his prayer in a biblical manner, with an expression of thanksgiving. “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phi_4:6). However, his gratitude was based upon the ungodly assumption that he was innately better than others, particularly, this nearby publican. “God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (Luk_18:11). Then, he proceeded to elaborate upon his own virtues by reviewing his religious performance, which obviously seemed very impressive to him. “I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luk_18:12).
This self-righteous Pharisee was so assured of his good standing with God. Yet, he was measuring himself by his own eyes and in comparison to others. The scriptures that he would claim as his guide condemned such self-righteousness. “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness” (Pro_30:12). Although man may have been impressed with his external behavior, God saw the abomination of his godless heart. “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luk_16:15).

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat_18:1-4)

Our God is great. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable” (Psa_145:3). Since we were created to know our great God, we have a yearning to find true greatness. The counterfeit path to greatness for the world, the flesh, and the devil is through self-exaltation. “I will be like the Most High” (Isa_14:14). The heavenly path to find spiritual greatness is through childlike humility.
The disciples asked Jesus who had truly found greatness in His kingdom. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ ” No doubt, to their amazement, he placed a little child in the middle of them. “And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them.” How could this small child give insight into their query? Jesus’ words must have been staggering for them to receive. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

In the first place, no one can even enter into the Lord’s kingdom without having a change of mind from the natural perspective of fallen humanity. We have such a self-sufficient, self-exalting viewpoint on life and how to find greatness. In order to become a child of God, we must be willing to adopt the Lord’s perspective. Instead of us being capable of developing a valid (“great”) life on our own, we must take the place of a humble, inadequate, needy child, looking to the Lord of life to give us eternal life. Then, in order to grow in spiritual greatness, we must be willing to continue in a daily walk of childlike humility. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

This teaching had to fall like a stinging indictment upon their hearts, since their motivation in asking was based upon their repeated arguments over which of them was the greatest in His kingdom! “Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest . . . But there was also rivalry among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest” (Luk_9:46 and Luk_22:24)… Hoekstra

Welcome to Christian Fellowship Church! A multi-cultural Christ-Focused Church based in Simi Valley, California. Our mission is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by proclaiming the biblical message of salvation!

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