THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

177God is always ready to receive the unrighteous when they humbly call to Him, but Hecloses His ears to those whose pride in their religious practices and good works make them feelself-sufficient.APPLICATIONWe must be aware of pride, especially spiritual pride, since we are saved by God'smercy, not by our righteous deeds. We dare not approach God with a proud attitude, for we allhave sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23).God abhors the haughty, but welcomes the humble. Because the sin of pride is sorepugnant to God, we must humble ourselves and be thankful for His grace.We must not look down on others. Although some people may be guilty of sins we maynot be guilty of, we may be guilty of sins they are not guilty of . . . such as spiritual pride.We must not give up on people because no one is beyond God's forgiveness, not evendishonest tax collectors.We must depend on God’s grace because no one is saved by living a pure lifestyle.