Originally posted by SwissGambit
Are you quite sure the Pharisee was standing on his own merit? He did start by thanking God, just as you did. It sounds like he is crediting God for the fact that he is a good person. [Why thank God if you\'re capable of doing it on your own?]
By my reading, Jesus is condemning the Pharisee, not for self-righteousness, but for his prideful statements. y from God - he wouldn\'t be begging for it if he did. He is completely humble before God.
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Are you quite sure the Pharisee was standing on his own merit? He did start by thanking God, just as you did. It sounds like he is crediting God for the fact that he is a good person. [Why thank God if you\'re capable of doing it on your own?]
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Why don't you offer us a prayer of your own?
Or would you prefer to stand there beside God and help Him criticize the prayers of others?
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By my reading, Jesus is condemning the Pharisee, not for self-righteousness, but for his prideful statements. He utterly lacks humility. He thinks he has things all figured out.
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As a Christian, I know that I will have to give an account for my Christian life before the judgement seat of Christ. I fully expect to be judged. Judgement begins with the house of God.
This judgement of believers is not related to the matter of eternal salvation. That issue has been solved. However I must undergo a judgement related to reward or punishment during the 1,000 year millennial kingdom.
My certainty in the prayer was related to my eternal destiny. It was not related to my position in the kingdom of Christ on the earth during the millennium.
Do you understand this? In speaking to disciples for whom the issue of eternal redemption is solved the Apostle Paul says:
"For another foundation no one is able to lay besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
But if anyone builds upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stubble, the work of each will become manifest, for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work, of what sort it is.
If anyone's work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward.
If anyone's work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Cor. 3:11-15)
As a saved Christian I can have assurance of eternal salvation and even
"boast because of the hope" (Rom. 5:2). Yet as to whether my Christians works will be consumed in the fire of Christ's examination or remain as gold, silver, and precious stones, I must wait to see.
Did I say that that was the ONLY thing I might utter when I meet the Lord Jesus?
I would be standing before the one who lives inside of me. There is no opportunity for deception.
I plan to thank Christ that He allowed me to live the best life I could have lived, a life of believing in His incarnation, death, and resurrection.
Do you think it would be more pleasing to God if I come befuddled about all these matters, confused, not too certain, doubting that He really is God incarnate.? Do you think such confusion and hesitation shows "humility"?
Don't confuse humility with wavering in trust in what He has told us.
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That\'s why Jesus contrasts with the tax collector. The tax collector is desperate. He has no assurance of mercy from God - he wouldn\'t be begging for it if he did. He is completely humble before God.
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But I already had my hour of desperation as to initially being received by God.
It is not humility to be desperate about being forgiven eternally everyday ever after God has told you that you are forgiven.
Again, my assurance was related to eternity and eternal redemption. It was not related to the reward or discipline which awaits every saved person.
We can have assurance of eternal justification. That is not pride. That is faith. I try to walk in the presence of Christ as if I shall meet Him physically at any time. I love Him.
And I know whatever He does with me, it will be just and fair. That much I know.
Would you like to offer us an example of a prayer of your own then? And if not do you have one or a reaction to seeing God which you feel is helpful?