Our title is found in Luke 18:13. In this text, the Lord spoke a parable to those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others” (Luke 18:9). His parable was about a Pharisee and publican who went to the Temple to pray to God (Luke 18:10-13). The Pharisee spoke to God, bragging about how great he was. In contrast, the publican said humbly, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” As He concluded the parable, Christ said that the publican was the one who was justified rather than the Pharisee (Luke 18:14).
What can we learn from the publican’s prayer? First, let’s understand that this isn’t a prayer offered by an “alien sinner” to God. Many today teach a false doctrine called “the sinner’s prayer,” where they say one can pray “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” or something similar, and be saved from sin. This isn’t taught in the Bible. Nor was this the spiritual condition of the publican, anyway. Remember, both he and the Pharisee were in the Temple (Luke 18:10). Therefore, both men were children of God. The publican had not come to be saved initially but had come to renew a relationship with God he had lost. The publican’s prayer isn’t declaring what someone needs to do to be saved from past sins. This is because, in order to be saved today, we must believe in Christ as the Son of God, repent of our sins, confess Christ as God’s son, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:30; Acts 8:37; 1 Pet. 3:21).
Now that we know what the publican’s prayer in Christ’s parable is not teaching, let us see what it is teaching. Truly, the publican’s prayer reveals much about him and teaches us valuable lessons. First, notice that he addresses his prayer to “God.” He isn’t praying to a pagan idol. He doesn’t deny God’s existence but looks to One higher and greater than himself for the blessing of forgiveness. He addresses this prayer to the correct One! Secondly, he asks for mercy from God. Mercy is something that God has in abundance (Ps. 136). We, as well, need His mercy daily! The publican declared he had sinned and needed God’s forgiveness, plain and simple. He offered no excuses, no alibis, and did not look to others (as the Pharisee did) for some justification for what he did. He didn’t blame society, his culture, his “employers,” the Romans (for lack of a better word). He goes to the One who can offer mercy and asks for it in a humble manner. Is this not the same with those of us who are Christians? Who among us hasn’t sinned (1 John 1:6-2:2)? Seeing that this is true, what are we doing about it? Let us listen to Peter and repent and pray for the Lord’s forgiveness (Acts 8:22). Let us never forget the true source of our mercy and be thankful it is given to us.
The publican made his prayer personal when he asked for God’s mercy to be provided “to me, a sinner.” He didn’t do as the Pharisee did and look at others, noting their sin so he might make himself look better. Many today will justify themselves, thinking or saying things like, “I am not as bad as him!” Let us not compare ourselves with others (2 Cor. 10:12). Instead, be honest and confess our sins before a holy God (1 Jn. 1:9)! The publican knew he had to look no farther than himself to see sin. May we learn this lesson (Rom. 3:23). It’s easy to blame others for our problems. It’s easy to try to discount or deny our sins by saying, “Look at him! He did worse than me!” What does this solve? Let’s be honest and admit we have sinned. Then, let’s look to God for our strength and our salvation.
If you need to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), then do so before it’s too late (Mark 16:16; 2 Cor. 6:2). The Lord’s plan for the salvation of the lost is evident when we read Acts 2-19. If you are a Christian who is living in sin and error, then do as the publican and repent of past wrongs as an erring child and pray for God’s forgiveness. He is ready to forgive you, so please do this while you still can (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9). God’s mercy is abundant, but life on earth is temporary (James 4:14). Tomorrow may be too late (2 Cor. 6:2; Prov. 27:1)!
- The Old Paths, Nov. 19, 2023