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The Bible is very clear that we are reconciled to God and saved from His just judgment because of grace
alone. While some think they were righteous before God because of their own religious deeds, it is the one
who knows his sin, and is broken over it, who finds forgiveness with God.
Read Luke 18:9-17. In this passage Jesus tells a short narrative called a 'parable.' A parable is a short
fictitious story that could actually occur in life. Jesus often used parables to teach about His kingdom and
the spiritual qualifications for living in it.
To whom does Jesus address this parable? Vs. 9 In the parable there are two characters, one a Pharisee, the other a
tax collector. Tax collectors in those days were known for their corrupt and sinful ways and were considered
social outcasts. List what you learn about these two men from verses 11-13.
| The Pharisee |
The Tax Collector |
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Read verse 14. Which of these two men does Jesus say goes away justified before
God?
Read Psalm 51. King David wrote this Psalm after he had committed adultery and murder. After David
committed adultery with Bathsheba and she had become pregnant, he arranged for her husband to be killed in
order to cover up his sin. Clearly these are serious sins with dire consequences. Read Psalm 51:1-5 again. According to verse 1 what is true of God's character
in which David places his hope?
David violated his marriage covenant with his wife, violated Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Yet,
according to verses 3-4 whom did David sin against?
We don't normally think or speak as if our sins against other people are ultimately against God, but it is
not unusual for the Bible to do so. For example, read Genesis 39:1-10 (the key verses are 8-9). When Potiphar's wife is trying to seduce Joseph to commit sexual sin he
rejects her. For Joseph, while he acknowledges his master Potiphar, to commit adultery with Potiphar's wife
was first and foremost a sin against whom?
While our sins may deeply affect other people, all our sins are ultimately against God.
Return to Psalm 51 and read verse 4. According to this verse, what is David's view of God's judgment
of his sin?
The Bible teaches us that man is sinful and because of this he commits acts of sin. By sinful, the Bible
means that the character of man has changed so that his nature is no longer the way it was created in the
Garden of Eden. Man's sinful nature is expressed in specific acts of sin. In David's case these sinful acts
included adultery and murder. Read Psalm 51:5-9. According to these verses, when did David become sinful?
Jesus teaches us about the relationship between our sinful nature and our sinful actions. Read Mark
7:14-23. According to Jesus, do our sinful acts of sexual sin, thefts, murders, coveting and other wickedness
make us sinful, or do we commit these sins because we already have a sinful heart?
Verses 20, 21, 23. Is the problem and power of sin outside or
inside of us?
Can we change our sinful nature simply by changing our behavior? Look up Jeremiah 13:23.
Read Psalm 51:10-13. What is the remedy for David's sinful nature and
guilt?
Read Psalm 51:14-19. What is David's response to God's wonderful grace?
The 'good news' of the gospel is that God promises to give us new natures with new hearts and new minds.
God promises to not simply change our actions but change the very source of our sins: our sinful nature. Read
God's great promise in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:25-28.
Verses to Memorize
Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-6
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