“Two Men Went Up into the Temple to Pray” [podcast]

WHOSE PRAYERS DOES GOD ANSWER? AND WHOSE DOES HE REJECT?

If we don’t understand this truth, taught by Jesus in His story of the 2 men who went up to pray, we can not prosper in our relationship and prayer life with the LORD. Father, please grant Your people eyes to see Thy kingdom for what it truly is and what it is not, in Jesus’ name, amen. Read Luke 18:9-14…

One Man’s Prayer Was Answered and the Other Was Not Answered

Why?

The following teaching from the Son of God is of extreme importance as pertains to the disposition of the one who will truly follow Christ. Also, the key to answered prayer is held in this parable of divine instruction. This parable needs very little explanation. Read this prayerfully:

Luke 18

⁹ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

 ¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

 ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 ¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

 ¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 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 that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

God honors deep humility and He dishonors and sets Himself against those who are proud and self-righteous in heart. So much so that Jesus tells us that “the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you (self-righteous religionists).” 

“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31

Self-righteous remedy! Prayerfully declare the words of Titus 3:5-7 each morning this week aloud to God and so your own wicked heart hears it.

“Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”

A revelation of the true doctrine of fallen man is and essential component that is grossly missing from the modern church. Also, learning the Word of God concerning the truth that He is “Holy, holy, holy,” is essential to a sound foundation (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

Titus 3:5-6 is a great way to begin our day by declaring this truth.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

Psalms 5:7 speaks of approaching God on the basis of His mercy and in the fear of the LORD – and not due to any good of our own, because there is none (Romans 3:10; 7:18, 24).

To the degree that we are receiving the revelation of CHRIST’s righteousness, to that degree we lose self-righteousness (Romans 3-8). Understanding your own utter depravity is never a license to sin but rather the starting point to be able to truly cherish Christ and what He did for us.

Saints, we are always to approach God on the basis of His sheer mercy toward us, shed abundantly upon us at the cross of Christ (Titus 3:5-7). This is in contrast to approaching God on the basis of any goodness of our own – because such is non-existent (Luke 18:9-14; Romans 7:18; Isaiah 64:6; Psalms 5:7).

Doing this will defuse the iniquity of self-righteousness.

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