I'd like to begin by directing your attention to the parable of the Pharisee & the tax collector, which can be found in Luke 18:9-14. Although this parable is well-known in religious circles, many often walk away from this parable with a false and very dangerous assumption.
"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."
In this parable, we see a contrast between two men: the Pharisee and the tax collector. While the Pharisee exhuded arrogance unbecoming of any child of God, the tax collector freely acknowledged his shortcomings and humbly sought God's mercy. The Pharisee in this parable was condemned by Jesus. The tax collector went home "justified."
Many read this parable and conclude that all of us fall into one of two categories. Either we are arrogant and self-righteous like the Pharisee or we are humble like the tax collector. Either we boast about our good works and see ourselves as better than everyone else (the Pharisee), or we beat ourselves up and see ourselves as nothing but perpetual sinners and failures (the tax collector). Remember, this parable was intended, not to degrade righteous people, but to humble self-righteous people (vs. 9). Thus, the tax collector is not being held up as a model for us; he is being used to further enrich and deepen the ugliness of arrogance in religion by way of contrast.
To put it another way, Jesus isn't saying that we must always carry with us a self-defeating attitude, and that if we don't, we must be self-righteous like the Pharisee. He's simply telling us not to be self-righteous like the Pharisee. That's the point of the parable.
Consider with me the following statements and tell me which category these statements fall into; do these statements reflect (a) self-righteousness (like the Pharisee), or (b) the self-defeating attitude many impose upon the tax collector?
"For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:4).
"Therefore let us, as many as are mature (perfect in the KJV), have this in mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you" (Phil. 3:15).
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
"But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39).
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 5:4).
Do these four statements denote arrogance? Or, do we see a self-defeating attitude? Which is it?
If we believe that we are innocent, and that there are no sins currently staining our souls, are we arrogant (1 Cor. 4:4)? Is it arrogant to see ourselves as mature Christians (Phil. 3:15)? Is it self-righteous to say that we have been faithful to God and will have heaven as our home (2 Tim. 4:7-8)? Is it haughty to claim that we are faithful and obedient servants of the Most High God (Heb. 10:39)? Are we just like the Pharisee in Luke 18 if and when we make the claim that we have overcome the world and have confidence before God (1 John 5:4)? Based on the way many interpret the parable in Luke 18, the answer is "yes."
Or maybe there's a third category. Maybe it's possible for one to be a confident child of God, walking in the light, mature in the faith and assured of salvation without being either arrogant or self-defeating.
Dear reader, we ought not read Luke 18:9-14 and conclude that we must always beat our breast like the tax collector, or that we must always see ourselves as nothing more than wretched, helpless sinners. The tax-collector had sinned, and was honest about his sin, and we should be just as humble and just as honest when we have sinned. But it is possible to walk in the light and be faithful. It is possible for my life not to be characterized by sin as it once was (1 John 3:6-10).
Either we are the sanctified people of God, set apart from the world and distingued as God's special people (John 17:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:9-10), or we're not.
I could go on, but for now, I'll step down from the soapbox. Those of you who follow this blog know that this is an issue I've dealt with in the past, and the fact is, I'll probably deal with it again in the future. But I'll leave you with one final comment: when God says that He forgives you, believe it, and when God says that when you're forgiven, you're walking in the light of His presence, believe Him. Otherwise, you're not being humble; you're doubting God's promises.
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