QT 9 Feb 16, Luke 18:9-14, Humility is to be honored, not arrogance

Luke 18:9–14 (RSV) He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 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!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

NOTE: I read an interesting article the other day about how it was racist to negatively view arrogance or poor sportsmanship. The article made a number of factual errors, but those are beside the point. Since when did poor character qualities become an issue of racism? The individual in question is Cam Newton, but the discussion could also be about Johnny Manziel or Donald Trump. Why are we considered 'killjoys' if we support common decency in behavior? And why is humility no longer a virtue? Jesus explains part of the problem in the first passage. Arrogance goes hand in hand with despising others. The individual wants them to eat dirt because he believes he is so much better than them. They are not equals and his words amplify that message. Paul explains why the trait will become more common as we get closer to the end of time.

Romans 1:28–32 (RSV) And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. 29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.

NOTE: We have progressed from shame and guilt to approving of people who practice the very things that at one time shamed us. Another way of saying it is that "we glory in our shame." In the letter to Philippians, Paul says as much:

Philippians 3:19 (RSV) Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

NOTE: We live in a sad time but also a time of great opportunity. We can be different. We can live in a manner that shows the light of Jesus Christ in our life. We can easily be a light in our speech, our attitudes, and our kindness. Church, this is the time to rise up in love. Jesus has changed us and we are different.