Episode 2731 - Lesson 3 - Monday April 13 - Know yourself

Know YourselfTwo men go to church to pray. One is a respected elder who stands at the front before church begins, in front of the congregation so they can see him. He prays aloud, thanking God for his own perceived goodness. The other man, a fringe dweller of society, stands at the very back of the church. His eyes are blurry with tears because of the weight on his shoulders from his sin. In the back corner of the church, he falls to his knees, whispering in desperation, “Please, Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner!”Read Luke 18:9-14. What do you think of these two men? What did Jesus think? What important lesson is here for us all?It’s very easy for us to exalt ourselves. Sometimes it becomes second nature to let others know of our accomplishments and how good we are. But these things, in and of themselves, make no difference to our reputation in heaven’s eyes. In fact, it’s actually contrary to what we might think, because “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14, NKJV). Jesus also counsels us to take the lowest seat and let the host elevate you if they so wish (Luke 14:8-10). This upside-down kingdom that Jesus teaches is the opposite of what we expect. “It is only he who knows himself to be a sinner that Christ can save.”--Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 158.In first realizing our true state of sinfulness and our desperate need of Christ, we can come to Him knowing with confidence that if “we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV).The closer we draw to Christ, the more we realize our sinfulness and unworthiness. “In one way only can a true knowledge of self be obtained. We must behold Christ. It is ignorance of Him that makes men so uplifted in their own righteousness.”--Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 159.So, what does God think of the proud? 1 Peter 5:5 tells us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” It couldn’t be clearer.When did you last experience God’s grace in your life? (Indeed, we should experience this grace daily.) We should also show grace to others. Spend some time in prayer right now, asking God to humble you under His mighty hand, that He alone may exalt you in due time.