The Pharisee in the Mirror
Humility is the portal to understanding God's grace and mercy. It is through humility and self-abandonment that we find the need for a Savior. As we appraise our conduct and pursuit to unveil the sins that are obscured in our hearts, we discover just how unworthy we are to be called a child of God-- how unsuitable we are for God's compassion on us. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ who didn't always have his act together, so to speak. In his early life, he victimized anyone who claimed to follow the Lord. He was a Pharisee. This powerful religion demanded strict adherence to decree and tradition. The Jews believed that the Messiah would appear on earth as a majestic King who would declare and demand the glory that He deserves. But that's not who Jesus was. Jesus came and lived among the poor. The gospels even mention that he shed his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed the feet of His disciples. This wasn't an ambitious man who insisted