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What is the difference between self-righteousness and the Mercy of God?

Two Men Petitioning God at the Temple

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Understanding Bible Doctrine

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

March 25, 2009

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And He (Jesus) also told this parable to some people
who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,
 and viewed others with contempt
(
Luke 18:9 NASB)

Two Men Praying at the Temple of God Luke 18:9-14 (NASB)

    Jesus contrasted two very different men praying at the Temple of God.  One man espouses his "virtues" while another man seeks the Mercy of God:

9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a Tax Collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this Tax Collector.'
12 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.'
13 But the Tax Collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to Heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'
14 I tell you, this man (Tax Collector) went to his house justified rather than the other (Pharisee); for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

The Humble Acceptance of Free Salvation Acts 4:11-13 (NASB)

    The Mercy of God is available now to everyone who asks, but is only available through His Son, Jesus Christ.  The New Testament of the Bible makes this absolutely clear:

11 This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the Corner.
12  Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be Saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

How to be Freely Saved and Become a Christian in Jesus Christ

The Biblical Portrait of  Jesus Christ

The Grace of God in Jesus Christ

Art image © 1999 Duncan Long - Used by Permission

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