A Tale of Two Sinners

Luke 18:9–14 NKJV

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Tale of Two Cities

Charles Dickens wrote the book titled “The Tale of Two Cities”. It was about two troubled cities, London and Paris. Both were in desperate conditions. Paris experienced revolution and fell. London experienced revival and survived.

The Tale of Two Sinners

This parable is only found in the Gospel of Luke. It is commonly called The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

All have sinned before God. All have fallen short of His glory.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Jesus spoke this parable to those who

Trusted in themselves that they were righteous.

Despised others

The Self-Righteous Sinner

He trusted in himself that he was righteous before God.

He despised others who did not measure up to him.

He went to the temple to pray. (i.e., he was a church goer who prayed)

He prayed with himself.

This was unlike Isaiah in Isaiah 6 when he saw the LORD high and lifted up and then saw himself as undone!

He reminded God of all the bad things he had not done.

He reminded God of all the good things he had done.

He compared himself to others.

He trusted in himself that he was righteous. It was a works-based salvation.

The Sorrowful Sinner

He stood afar off. He did not regard himself as worthy to approach God.

He would not raise his eyes toward God because of shame.

He beat his breast in deep remorse.

He confessed that he was a sinner.

He cried out for mercy from God.

The Conclusion

Works vs. Faith

Galatians 2:16 NKJV

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Romans 10:3–4 NKJV

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

The sorrowful sinner received justification from God.

The self-righteous sinner did not receive justification from God.

Pride vs. Humility

1 Peter 5:5–6 NKJV

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. (Pride)

Those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Response to the Word

Cease from comparison and judgment.

James 4:11–12 NKJV

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Humble yourself before God. (Fear God)

Confess your sin to God. (Get honest with God)

Believe in Christ Jesus. (Trust in Christ)

Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. (Open the door and let Him come in)