ReligionReligion and Spiritualityनेपाली भाषामा भिडियो

Don’t be self-righteous-

Final instalment of Meditate-Percolate!

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January 13-

‘Do not think of yourself more highly than you should.’ Romans 12:3 GNT

Jesus told this story: ‘Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to Heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Luke 18:10–14 NLT)

The lesson in this story is that God has more tolerance for an honest sinner than a self-righteous Christian. When the Pharisee was congratulating himself for the sins he didn’t commit, he was guilty of the sin of spiritual pride. Ask yourself what good behaviour is a source of pride to you? Do you measure others by your performance and mark their scorecard accordingly? The only performance that makes any of us acceptable to God is based on Christ’s performance on the cross. ‘God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT)

The righteousness that saves us is imputed—not earned. So don’t be self-righteous!


Amd here is the fifth and final instalment of “Meditate- Percolate”:

‘The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.’ Psalm 19:8 NKJV

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.’ (Psalm 19:7–8 NKJV)

More to be desired are they than gold… sweeter also than honey… by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:10–14 NKJV)

This prayer shows that the psalmist regarded meditation as an utter necessity to his spiritual life. And if that was true for him in his day, how much more vital is it for you today! You need to bathe your mind each day in the waters of God’s Word so that your words and thoughts are pleasing in His sight. Choose a time during your day, whether it’s the start of the day, at coffee break, during your lunchtime, coming home from work, or before falling asleep at night to reflect upon the truth of God’s Word. The greatest changes in your life will come through the process of meditating on the Scriptures—just letting the Word of God filter and percolate through your mind and into your life. First-class Bible reading calls not for snapshots but for timed exposures.

Courtesy: Vision Christian Media: https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today

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