Luke 18:14; Romans 3:28 (NKJV)
Luke 18:14 (NKJV)
“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.”
Romans 3:28 (NKJV)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
Reflection
The theme of this Lenten journey is Grace and Truth (John 1:16–17). Today we confront a vital truth: we are justified by faith, not by religion.
In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee was religious, disciplined, morally upright, and outwardly impressive. He fasted twice a week and gave tithes of all he possessed. Yet he left unjustified.
The tax collector, on the other hand, had no religious résumé to present. He stood afar off, beat his breast, and cried, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus declared that this man went home justified.
Why? Because justification is not a reward for religious performance — it is a gift received through humble faith.
Religion says, “Look at what I have done.”
Faith says, “Lord, have mercy on me.”
Religion compares.
Faith surrenders.
Religion trusts in works.
Faith trusts in grace.
Paul reinforces this in Romans 3:28: “a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” No amount of fasting, prayer, giving, church attendance, or service can earn justification before God. These are important spiritual disciplines, but they are responses to grace — not replacements for it.
Justification means to be declared righteous before God. It is a legal term. God, the righteous Judge, declares the believing sinner righteous — not because of their works, but because of Christ’s finished work.
Grace provides what the law demands but cannot produce.
During this fast, we must guard our hearts carefully. Fasting itself can become a source of spiritual pride. We may begin to measure ourselves against others — who is more prayerful, who is more committed, who is more spiritual. That is the spirit of the Pharisee.
Lent is not a competition of discipline. It is a journey of deeper dependence.
We do not fast to earn God’s approval.
We fast because we already have it in Christ.
Today, examine your heart:
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Are you trusting in your religious activity?
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Or are you resting in Christ’s righteousness?
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Are you presenting your performance?
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Or are you pleading for mercy?
Grace humbles us. Truth frees us.
When we truly understand justification by faith, pride dies and gratitude rises.
Pastor Ebenezer Adeyinka Daramola
Prayer Points:
- O Lord, we thank You for the gift of salvation that gives us the free gift of God’s righteousness in the name of Jesus. (Romans 3:27-28).
- O Lord my God, increase my knowledge in Your word and let Your word set me free from all my sins in the name of Jesus. (John 8:32).
- Lord Jesus, I have received Your Spirit by faith; give me the abundant grace to live and dwell in the Spirit of God forever in the name of Jesus. (Romans 8:9).
- My Father, My God, I am saved by Your mercy; let Your mercy keep me holding onto You and not to forsake You in Jesus’ name. (Jeremiah 17:13).
- Lord Jesus, You have justified me from the condemnation of sin by Your righteousness. In Your mercy, deliver me from the judgement of the wicked people that surround me in Jesus’ name. (2 Thess. 3:23).
- Jesus Christ, I have confessed You as my personal Lord and Saviour, help me to serve You to the end of my days in the name of Jesus. (Joshua 24:14-15).
- O Lord my God, cast away from me every spirit of unbelief and give me grace to put my trust in You completely in the mighty name of Jesus. (Genesis 15:6).
- My Father, my God, You have justified me by faith, do not permit any evil occurrence in my life that can make me lose my faith in Jesus’ name. (Luke 22:32).
- O Lord, my righteousness is in You, let Your light shine on me and let Your spirit be my guard that I may not go astray from Your presence in Jesus’ name. (Matthew 24:4).
- Lord Jesus, give me the grace to humble myself before You in any circumstances that You may exalt me in the name of Jesus. (Luke18:13-14).
- Thank You, Jesus, for coming to this world to save me, thank You for Your death and resurrection that gives me the hope of eternal glory in Jesus’ name.
- Father, forgive us for every time we have relied on our ‘goodness’ or ‘self-righteousness rather than Your grace in Jesus’ name.
- Holy Spirit, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ that You open our hearts to understand justification by faith more deeply in Jesus’ name.
- Holy Spirit, grant us the boldness to live by faith and by religious standard in Jesus’ name.
- Thank You Lord for a fresh release of Your grace upon us in Jesus’ name.
