Thankful for Salvation

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 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.” (Luke 18:10&11)

The Hollywood scandals reached beyond tinsel town when a high paid personality revealed that in addition to his famous drunken, and drug filled binges he had also managed to become HIV positive during his many sexual escapades upon which he had spent many dollars upon professional fornicators. While his behavior has brought upon himself the just recompense of his sinful and willful lifestyle those of us who are onlookers to his folly are faced with the temptation of the Pharisee in the Temple.

Those who were saved early in life are tempted to look down upon this man who was no doubt impacted by the follies of his family and be proud we are not as he. Those who were saved later in life may breathe a sigh of relief that we are not afflicted with the diseases his actions carry or if this misfortune had fallen prior to salvation nevertheless see him as the publican whose continued lifestyle is the source of repugnant fascination.

The truth is that none of us have anything of which to boast of except in Christ. We do not save ourselves and we do not free ourselves from the bondage of sin in whatever form it might seek to rule in our lives. As a boy I was taught to not look at others with contempt by godly grandparents in the Primitive Baptist and my parents in the Southern Baptist way. Both taught me to acknowledge that “there but for the grace of God go I!” We have only the slightest idea of the depths to which we may have fallen, no matter at what time Jesus become Lord of our lives. Sin has a downward spiral and this man may yet sink to even deeper depths if he continues in his unrepentant ways. Remember he has only confessed to his disease, not repented and turned to Christ. We should humble ourselves in the thankfulness of our Salvation and pray for His!