Copyright © Chaplain Bob Haines 1997, 2013

A Forrest Gump Religion

Authentic Justification

And Jesus told them a parable, in essence, that they should always pray and not lose heart . . .
He told them following parable concerning some who trusted in themselves that they were pious and scorned others:

“Two men went up inside the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed like this with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I tithe of all that I get.’
Conversely, the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 man. For every one who glorifies himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be glorified.”  ( Luke 18: 1; 9-14)

There is a popular motto that many people adopt who want to be better in things they do. They may be perfectionists, or workaholics, or just plain people who like to excel. Even Christians who desire to be better Christians often adopt this motto. That motto is, “I try harder.” Yet, no matter how hard we try something, it is often not enough.
The best way to do anything is simply to do your best. How does one do one’s best when it comes to living a Christian lifestyle? I think Jesus’ parable is quite to the point. Specifically it deals with authentic prayer. However, in the larger context of the Christian Faith, also deals with authenticity of faith.

Why is there so much fainting, or losing heart in prayer, or in the Christian life?  Jesus’ parable of the pharisee juxtaposed against the tax collector, the sinner may be the answer that question.

What is authentic faith?

What the answer is not.

First, it is not more prayer. The Pharisee was very religious, in fact, practiced his religion quite often. For example, he fasted twice/week. Authentic prayer is not more prayer. Trying “harder” doesn’t really change things. Scheduling more prayer time is not the solution.

We can pray a lot and still be “fainting”. It may be, then, that we need a new kind of prayer, not just more of the same kind. We need to discover more about the nature of prayer.
True prayer is not difficult. It is natural, instinctive, and comes easily. It is the key to God’s closeness, glory, and power.

In this parable, Jesus teaches us the nature of authentic prayer. There is a contrast between the true prayer of the tax collector and the error of the Pharisee.

The Pharisee prayed frequently and was proud of it. The Tax Collector was not accustomed to praying.
The Pharisee prayed punctiliously. The Tax Collector was infrequently found in the temple courts.

The Pharisee’s prayer was wrong. The Tax Collector’s prayer was right.

Second, a good model for what prayer is not is the model of the Pharisee. The Pharisee was impressed with his own virtues.

God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I tithe of all that I get .

How often do we reflect this attitude: “Lord, come and help me to do this task . . . I will contribute my ability to exercise leadership, my talents for singing, my talents for speaking.”   “Lord, will you pour on the magic power . . . I’ll do my best and you do the rest.”

What a philosophy of Christian prayer and service! I suspect most prayers are like this – almost as if, “I can do it all,” – although we try to be humble – a kind of reverse-phariseeism – “thank God, I am not as proud as a Pharisee!”
Actually, we seek God’s attention by going to the opposite extreme – babbling continually about our shortcomings – seeking to impress God with our honesty and humility. The truth is, we have no virtue of our own to contribute, none whatsoever — not even humbleness. God doesn’t need us, we need Him!

We pray out of utter bankruptcy Can we admit that? We forget that all our talents and gifts came from God – simply on loan to us.

Furthermore, it is not prayer to ask God’s help because of our own accomplishments.
The Pharisee expected God to act on his behalf in view of his faithful service.  He prayed more.  He tithed more.  Since he did so much for God, God ought to do likewise for him.
Do we do that?  “Lord, I taught Sunday School for 10 years.  Lord I’ve tried to be a good parent.  Keep my children from straying.  Lord, I’ve given so much to you, now give me this one little thing that I ask of you.”   Obviously, there is a little self-righteous pharisee in each of us.

What Prayer ls.

The Tax Collector – the model for prayer

. . . the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat upon his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

First we notice, it seems he does it all wrong.

– He stands afar off ;

– not in the right place;

– he doesn’t lift up his eyes;

– he doesn’t assume the proper position.

 
The Externals are unimportant. What is important? The answer is a definition of authentic prayer as extrapolated from what the tax collector does and the fact that Jesus authenticates it. Prayer, then, is simply, an awareness of our helpless need.

The tax collector saw himself as he really was – on the lowest possible level, a sinner. He believed that without God, he could do nothing to help his position – “I’m a sinner, Lord, that all I can say. I have nothing else to add.”
Note that he doesn’t add any merits. He doesn’t say,”God be merciful to me a `penitent’ sinner” or “God be merciful to me a `reformed’ sinner. I’m going to be different from now on.”
He doesn’t even say, “God be merciful to be a `praying’ sinner.” He merely rests his whole case on a merciful God – “Lord, I haven’t anything of my own to lean on — only You.”

By the way,  I’ve always thought that the best prayer is one in which we are absolutely lost for words.

Summary: What is authentic prayer

1.  An expression of our helplessness; an awareness of need that can be met only by God.

That is true humbleness. The tax collector looked wholly to God. The only answer to all his sins, problems, and predicaments, is to cast himself wholly upon God and say, “I’m a sinner.”

2.  Authentic prayer is always an acknowledgment of divine adequacy.

God is always able to meet our needs. Our ultimate help, that is, help for our sinful condition, is in God, It is not in being a Pharisee, that is, not in being a member of a religious order, sect, or denomination. It is not religion, or religious practice.

Furthermore, it is not in psychology, psychiatry, or counseling, although these things can help according to worldly standards and daily living.  Yes, you may need psycho-therapy or some 12-step program. I wholeheartedly recommend them to persons with clinical disorders.
Ultimately, however, God is a merciful God in whom lies the passion of Jesus Christ with His bloody cross and amazing grace.

Conclusion: What is authentic prayer, and with it authentic justification?

It is more than asking. It is taking. It is faith, believing that God can do more than any amount of religious piousness. It is an attitude of awareness, an awareness of our need for God and His mercy.
It is the expression of dependence which lays hold of God’s resources for any and all of our spiritual needs.

Why do we find ourselves often losing heart, discouraged, defeated?

Because we really haven’t met God with authentic prayers.

Perhaps, right now, you can say, maybe for the first time,

“Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”
By praying the prayer of the tax collector, “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” you are asking God to set you free, to make you to live a life of authentic faith, to turn you from weakness and emptiness and barrenness and fruitlessness, to truth and life and joy. Begin to live a life of authentic prayer. I have no other help, but God, You are fully adequate. On this I rest – God be merciful to me, a sinner