I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:14
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we see that the tax collector was justified because of his humbleness.
What does justified mean?
Justified meaning, according to theology, declared or made righteous in the sight of God.
How are we justified?
Romans 3:24-26 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because of His forbearance, God has passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Humbleness:
Humbleness is the spirit of submission or the lack of pride. Through this parable we understand that we are made righteousness through Jesus Christ if we humble ourselves.
Humbleness is an attitude that we have to cultivate in us in order to bring the favor of God in us.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Apostle Paul: Paul who was called Saul a Jew full of pride and a fierce executioner of Christians. One encounter with Jesus completely changed his life.
He was justified (made righteousness) and became humble through Jesus Christ.
Paul’s radical testimony in 2 Corinthians 11:25 is a constant reminder that God can take the least likely of us and use our lives powerfully for his glory.
Now let us look at our Lord Jesus Christ
The perfect example of humbleness is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus humbled himself to extent that he could forgive everyone on the cross.
Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls”.
Psalms 25:9 The humble he guides in justice, and the humble he teaches his ways.
I was born and brought up in Roman Catholicism, later we as family accepted Jesus and became born again Christians. We were rejected and humiliated by all our family members. But God gave us the grace to be humble, we started to pray for salvation for all our relatives, praise be to God, now everyone accepted Jesus and took Baptism. Glory to God.
Prayer
Our heavenly father, fill us with the spirit of humbleness. Help us to be obedient to your call. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sol. Camilia AOJ