The one who humbles himself.

Luke 18:9-14, He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The good news leaves no room for pride on the part of we who are saved. For Christ departed his glory, which he had from before the foundation of the world and humbled himself to be born as one of us, and to die for us! There is no one who deserves what he has done, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Until he breathes new life into us, we are spiritually dead and hopeless. Even our faith itself is a gift by the grace of God, “so that no one may boast.” And it is only the power of his Holy Spirit that we receive that can sustain us, as Paul we do not do the things we ought to do, and “evil lies close at hand.” How amazing that he should do all that he has done for us! Have we come to the end of our own pride and self-righteousness to humble ourselves before his mighty throne of grace?

We thank you for all that you have done for us, for “delivering us from this body of death,” and all that you are going to do!

ESV Lectionary