It Takes One To Know One

It Takes One To Know One

Scripture Reference: Luke 18: 9 - 14 (KJV)

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 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; ad he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

I would like to share a story that I recently received from an email. Please notice how the perfect people of church were so ready to administer judgement according to their rightousness.

THE BLOOD

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at

her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.

But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church.

She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and

heart of the pastor’s son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter.

So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions

increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.

The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought

up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor’s son stood to speak.

He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancee’s past is not what is on trial here.

What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to

wash away sin.

Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial.

So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that

they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a

weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person

completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.

If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of

trouble.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain

thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:23

I pray that you enjoyed this passage. It is not intended to point fingers because you then point out your own shortcomings.

This sermon is for the saints who have it all together (or at least think that they do) and even can go as far as to tell the next person where they are going wrong with their life. These people normally feel so privileged from God that they go so far as to even thank God for not being a sinner like the person that may be going through the storms of life. Obviously forgetting about the trials and tribulations that they went through to get where they are and the grace that God has to constantly bathe them with to contain their great sin.

Truly God has done a marvelous work in blessing some of his saints of God. Some saints are blessed to the point that they feel that they have a special relationship with God. They feel that since God has shown special favor to them then they are somehow above everybody else.

Don’t get me wrong the bible says and I truly believe that God has blessed some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;).