Exaltation or Abasement...the Wayfarer 7/26/17

Exaltation or Abasement
  7/26/17

Luke 18:10-14King James Version (KJV)

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.

Two men entered the house of God purporting the purpose of seeking Him in prayer.

Both recognized a need to pray.

One remembered that purpose, while the other sought, instead to glorify self, rather than giving honor where it was due.

All things done for the glory of God are justified by that which is done, and require no other exhaltation other than their acceptance for what they are rather than by whom they are done.

Prayer is a personal communication with God, heard by him and answered in accordance with what is truly communicated.

The prayer found acceptable as related, by Jesus, was the most important of all prayers, the basis for open communication between an imperfect and corrupt creature, (man) and his Creator, able and willing to correct that imperfection once recognized.

The mercy granted was the mercy requested, as is necessary for each to find only for themselves by making that request.

The first example cited requested no mercy, choosing instead to attempt to call to attention his own righteousness, rather than the righteousness of God.

The second was penitent, comprehending place within creation far subordinate to the ONE being addressed.

The first, by virtue of status sought and received recognition daily by those around him, receiving accolades and more wealth through the exercise of that very status.

Submissiveness was supplanted by the need to let all about him know of that righteousness which was thought to be within his possession.

The second recognized the righteousness of his Creator, and the mercy held only within THAT righteousness, perhaps remembering the words of Isaiah.

Isaiah 64:6

⁶But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away

The request for mercy was preceded by repentance being given for sin committed. The thanks given was for the forgiveness expected for that repentance rather than a show of equality with God and superiority over others of his kind.

Matthew 6

King James Version (KJV)

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

² Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

³ But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

⁴ That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

⁵ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

¹⁵ But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

¹⁶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

¹⁷ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

¹⁸ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Treasure sought is the treasure to be found.

The worth of that treasure is dependent upon the one seeking that treasure.

Reward sought is also the reward to be found dependent upon wherein that reward is being sought.

Each must determine for himself the value of treasure and reward to be had.

Each should be aware of the longevity of that treasure and reward.

Choices are clear, once defined, each leading to different and opposite ends, one ending at the grave, the other beginning in one dimension leading beyond that dimension that has no end and no grave.

Exhaltation is found within both. One the exhaltation of man, the other leading to the exhaltation of God, through the exhaltation of God, by recognition His existence rather than the glorification of what was created.

Matthew 7:7-8
⁷Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Each must determine what is to be asked, what is to be sought, and which door is to be knocked upon.

Asking begins with asking for what is truly desired by the heart asking.

As was exemplified by the publican, mercy may be given. Forgiveness is to be found when sought. Life is to be found beyond the door knocked upon if that door is diligently discerned before knocking.

There remains, and shall always remain One Way, One Truth and One Life that may be found when asked for, sought and the Door recognized.

I give thanks for the continued ability to ask, the ability to seek and knock until the door is opened.

I give thanks for the forgiveness and mercy expected and granted, and remain in remembrance of the righteousness of the ONE holding it, and my own lack thereof.

I pray that memory endure forever, and that others find that same remembrance while the opportunity to ask, seek, and knock exists.

I pray also that the necessity of asking take priority, that that which is sought be that which should be sought, and that the door be found before it is locked, as it must be for the coming night so rapidly falling.

2 Timothy 1:12
King James Version (KJV)
¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer