(March 17, 2024) Brian Bell encourages…

This article is a little different from those I usually write, but it is still my aim that it will be an encouragement to us as we are getting close to Easter.

In the last week, I have been drawn to the scene recorded in Luke 18:9-14, and in particular those words in verse 13(NKJV): ‘God be merciful to me a sinner’ or as rendered in the slightly longer NLT version ‘O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

If you are not familiar with this incident, the Lord Jesus tells the story of a proud Pharisee and a dishonest tax collector who go to the temple to pray.

I want to share with you a few thoughts garnered from the words of that dishonest tax collector…

1) He Recognised His Position
He knew he was standing in prayer and confessing before a Holy God!

This is so simply, but truthfully, stated in the words ‘for I am a sinner.’ I take the view that this is a not so much a confession by this man that he was being dishonest in conducting his ‘profession,’ but that in his heart he knew that he had a sinful nature. Unlike the Pharisee who confused his good works as an absence of sin, failing to recognise that his self-righteousness was in itself an indication of his sinful nature.

As a Jew, this man was, I am sure, brought up under the law and the prophets – the scriptures of his day – so he was not ignorant of what God’s requirements were and that God had said through His word that even all our righteousness were as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

So unlike the Pharisee, this man’s prayer contains no self-righteous statements to try and justify himself; he did not even offer any excuses as to how he came to be in his profession. Standing before a holy God he was only too well aware of his real position… a sinner needing God’s mercy.

2) He Knew His Only Hope
Totally aware that God was the only one he could come to, he humbly addressed his prayer to this holy God.

My reading of this short passage leads me to suggest to you that the Holy Spirit had been working in the life of this man, how else could he a tax collector condemned by fellow Jews such as the Pharisee who stood nearby (v10-11) be brought to a place where –

• Alienated he stood at a distance,
• Condemned he dared not even lift his eyes heaven-ward as was the custom and
• Hopeless he beat his chest in sorrow?.

Is it not encouraging for us to know that when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in our lives, then we too can come by faith to a Holy God.

This man’s prayer demonstrates to me his heart was repentant. Of course we live in what I call the ‘post-cross’ era. For us there is no requirement for any animal sacrifice, or the bringing of a designated sin offering, no need for any act of penance. 

All we need for reconciliation with God has been done for us in what we call ‘the finished work’ accomplished by the Lord Jesus on Calvary, it is Christ’s work which means we are no longer alienated, no longer in condemnation and not without hope.

3) He Knew Only God Could Help
This poor man was aware that only God could give him the mercy what he desperately wanted – not some rule or regulation.

The cry of his heart was asking Almighty God to be merciful. Merciful is hilaskomai, to conciliate, make reconciliation for one.

The Pharisee was condemning, but that I believe this outcast tax collector showed spiritual insight; he knew what he needed and the one who could provide it. He choose to confess his sinfulness quietly and humbly to God, not boastfully talking about himself, nor retaliating to that religious leader!

Luke 18:9 tells that Jesus told this parable to ‘some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.’ Some food for thought here…
(i) Danger
Just as this man had been ‘written off’ by the proud Pharisee, is there not a danger we may do the same as that religious leader?

(ii) Self-righteousness
Do I make self-righteous judgments about others, even believers, because I do not feel they ‘toe the line’ as I feel they should?

(iii) Condemnation!
Paul writes about this in his letter to the Colossians saying, ‘… don’t let anyone condemn you’ (See Colossians 2:16-23). This means that even in simple things because I know that I am not under condemnation by God, I am free to make my choices. Such as choosing which version of scripture I prefer, or choosing the ‘spiritual songs’ I sing… and I expect others to respect my liberty just as I respect their choices even though we may not agree. 

Regarding every sinner’s reconciliation with God, the apostle’s words in Colossians 2:13-14 are very real for us as we approach Easter – ‘You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.’

The CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) is very strong, very clear regarding verse 14: ‘He wiped away the bill of charges against us. Because of the regulations, it stood as a testimony against us; but He removed it by nailing it to the execution-stake.’ 

4) He Received What He Longed For!
Jesus said, ‘I tell you, this sinner … returned home justified before God.’ Justified is dikaioō, rendered free!

To be honest, this makes my heart leap! These are not some random words the Lord Jesus spoke just to give the story a happy ending – this man was made right before a Holy God! What did it? His faith in God’s mercy.

A retired minister I know often used this phrase: ‘God is more merciful than what we are.’ How true! And Charles Wesley sums it up so well in his tremendous hymn And Can it Be –
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Be encouraged that if you have placed your faith and trust in Christ you too are justified.. free indeed! If you find yourself in a situation when temptation overtakes you, come to the throne of God’s mercy, remembering that if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong (1 John 1:9 NLT).

This was accomplished for us by the Christ who gave His life on Calvary’s cross but is risen and living in heaven today where He ever lives to make intercession for us until that day the Father will send Him to come for His bride the church.

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Brian Bell is a diaconate member, Christ Church (Congregational) Abbots Cross, Northern Ireland, and a volunteer with Disabled Christians Fellowship Ireland. Brian describes himself as ‘grateful for the privilege and opportunity given me to serve my Lord.’
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