Luke 18:11-14 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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. 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.

Here is the classic conundrum, the historical church goer who has every faith that he leans upon rather than God. The sinner pleads his case out of desperate awareness of his own inadequacies. The Lord tells us the sinner is justified.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

I do not have the right or responsibility to bring anyone’s salvation into question. That is the first part of this verse. The second part is all critical. My security can only be validated by God Himself. If I am to be assured of anything, I must ask God for the answer.

I also have to accept His answer and if there be anything that the Lord asks me to do, I must do. I must because I love him. What separates these two men more than anything is motivation of the heart. If you obey God out of fear of punishment, you have missed the point of this relationship. Love begets love. If you obey for reward you have missed the point. If you obey to be seen you have missed the point.

If you have been convinced, you have missed the point.