I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts. A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; which say, stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Isaiah 65:1-5.
Gleaning from two different illustrations of four different worshippers from the book of Luke chapter 7: 36-47 and Luke chapter 18: 9-14, we noticed two of them to be arrogant religious worshippers, good and just in their own eyes; while the other two were humbled worshippers and penitent sinners, sought after Christ for forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life. At first, we see Simeon the Pharisee, the arrogant spiritual man, invited Jesus to dine in his house. Also, we see a woman, spiritually broken and humbled by her sin, uninvited, came into the dinner to encounter the Lord at the Pharisees house. Second, we read of the lousy arrogant man, good in his own eyes, praying in the temple: and the humble publican sinner, who is also praying in the temple. These are two distincts and differents spiritual attitudes and characters before God, one was condened for his boastings in prayer, while the other was justified for his broken spirit and contrite heart before God.
‘And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, this man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little’. Luke 7: 36-47.
Invitation to dine with an unbeliver is not a sin, if we are availbale to go. This has nothing to do with being uneaqually yoked togetehr with them. By the way, if your unbelieving neighbour is rejoicing, you should rejoice with them, or if they are weeping, you should weep with them – this is part of showing love to your neighbour, to love them as you love yourself: If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 1 Corinthians 10:27.
One of the hottest arguments and reasons the Pharisees would not accept Jesus Christ as their saviour sent from God was because of his compassionate and loving heart for sinners, saying this man received sinners and ate with them. Luke 15:2. As the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost, this is the purpose of our salvation in Christ, to seek and save them that are lost in all wisdom of humility, without compromising the truth, that we might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22.
Our Lord’s acceptance to Simeon invitation to dine with him show us the simplicity which is in Christ in the absence of the spirit of come not near me, for I am holier than you which is pride. A believer should not indulge in an unscriptural, ungodly practice in any festivity of association with his neighbour to please them: such act or action deform the newness of life and depreciate the standard of holiness and righteousness of God. As the light shinning out of darkness, we should keep ourselves at utmost distance from any appearance of evil, by avoiding all that leads to sin or that looks like sin.
It is not the sin unequally yoked together with unbeliever, if we desire to honour an invitation from an unsaved neighbour or friend, something which is not every day, week or month, perhaps, it can further the cause of Christ as an open door to make him known. While we may need to have different approach, show different morality, mentality and attitudes in a party or gathering as a new creature in Christ Jesus, our goal and intention is to have them turn to the Lord. When we love Christ indeed, nothing and none can hinder from reaching out sharing his love and compassion openly with others.
Perfect love cast out fear. The fear of poor in the house of rich. The fear of a black man in the house of white. The fear of a woman among men. The fear of an illiterate man beofre the learned. This was the motivation of Mary, the outcast public figure, a well known harlot, entered uninvited into Simeon’s house, just to meet with Christ. This is what Christ has done for us, when he died for us, washed, cleansed and sanctified us by his blood, to be accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6.
Luke 7, Verses 38. The infamous, but converted sinner, washed her Lord’s feet with her tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, anointed them with the ointment. Convicted of her sins, she bowed in repentance before her Saviour. There is no other better way to acknowledge our call and sense of appreciation to our Lord than to serve him in all humbleness of mind, with all reverence of affection.
Love is not ashamed. This is the love of God poured abundantly into the heart of a sinner through the Holy Spirit. She was not there for Simeon’s wine or meat, she can afford all that by herself. Drawn by divine love, she was just running after Christ, humbly crawled into the embraced of Christ love, better than wine or any other delights of flesh or world.
She has come, looking for a change for a new life and destiny in Christ: seeking forgiveness, fellowship and sanctification of her body, soul and spirit, and for fulness of joy, which could only be found whereever Christ is: draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. Songs of Solomon. 1:3.
Simeon and other people at his house saw and condemned the woman for her lewdness and wretchedness, but Christ see her urgency and readiness to change, love and fear of God. There she was at Simeon’s house, contemplating, admiring, appreciating and devoted before the undeserving love and acceptance of Christ who will not reject anyone who comes to him, whatever the case may be. Face to face with the Lord that heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds ( Psalms 147:3), deeply sorry and weeping for all the years wasted in sins, and spent in vanity, her sorrow for sins works repentance to salvation as she received comfort and assurance of forgiveness from Christ: godly sorrow works repentance, but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2 Cor. 7: 10-11.
There are sinners who are morally good, and sinners who are despicable, but they both have one thing in common; presently both are corruption, and in the future state, both are destined for eternal damnation, if they will not repent, and be born again – for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Simeon the Pharisee has gone a step further, openly invites the Messaiah into his home which is the symbol of his acceptance of Christ Lordship, which is in contrast to the rest of the Pharisees that were filled with hatred, wickedness, jealousy, envy with all bitterness of heart as they openly fought and contradicted Christ testimony, his Lordship, good work and sound teachings from the scripture. Without Simeon’s open declarative love for Christ, shown by the admittance of Christ into his home, he stood the risk of missing out the mark and goal of forgiveness and salvation brought by Christ presence! What we know about Christ and what we have received from him should be shared with others. If we invite and welcome Christ into our home and heart, we should make room and allowances for other people to profit from the presence of Christ in our life, home and heart, and not to confine him to ourself – love is not selfish. Stop that outward deceitful smiling as long as you accommodate jealousy, hatred, strife, wickedness, bitterness, evil and vain thoughts in the heart against your Christian friends and unsaved neighbours– this is hypocrisy and the traits of spiritual defilement of a faulty heart before God. If we welcomed and received a converted sinner into our home and church for Christ sake, they should be loved and accepted from the bottom of our hearts, without second thought, or doubt, knowing that God is drawing and calling them. They should not be looked down upon, or being treated by their past old life or being class or respect by their social stature: love is not proud. None can come to Christ except those who has learned and called and drawn by the Father: we should therefore commit them to the care and judgment of Christ, whom God has cause to draw near unto him by mercy into this grace ……And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? Says the Lord. And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Jeremiah 30:20-21. None of the living, Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female, rich or poor, white or black, learned or unlearned should be despised, denied or rejected, who confess to the Lordship of Christ as the Son of God, and has been washed from their filths by his blood: as it is written; I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, in the place where it was said unto them, you are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God – after this will I return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who does all these things. Romans 9: 25-26. Acts 15: 16-17.
Luke 7, Verses 39 – 49. The condition and thoughts of Simeon’s heart was brought into light, confrontation and reality before him by Christ. The Lord understands our thoughts afar off, and if they are not aligning with the scriptures and the will of God, it becomes vain, faithless, foolish and sinful….the thought of foolishness is sin. Proverbs 24:9.
The Father has committed all judgments into the hands of the Son to judge every secret works, secrets of men’s heart, either good or bad. The Lord is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. He will not judge according to outward appearance, he does not have the eyes of flesh, but will declares unto man what is his thought! Amos. 4: 13. The strongholds in Simeon were pulled down by the Lord, and his thought was brought to the obedience of Christ. As a gracious teacher and silence listener, Christ will reprove us in love to correct and set all things in order, that those that erred in spirit might come to the understanding of the just, and the murmurers might learn doctrine – ‘Now, when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, this man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to who little is forgiven, the same loveth little’. Isaiah 29: 24.
Let us glean also from the second reference of our study from the gospel of Saint Luke chapter 18: 9-14. And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. 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. 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 exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The two Pharisees in our study (Simeon and the man praying in the temple) have similar characteristics and resemblances of being good and just or better than others in their own eyes. There’s no man, rich or poor, who have hand in his salvation: for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephessians 2:8-9.
Simeon, the Pharisee, thought he can receive salvation through fame, social influence and invitation of Christ to dine in his house, while the other Pharisee desired for God’s approval and acceptance on the merit of the carnal routine of his pious duties (I fasted twice a week, morally bettehr than others without salvation in Christ, and I give tithes of all that I got): but we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64: 6. Seeing yourself better than others is the fruit of the religious spirit and the work of an evil spirit which gives birth to pride, contention and competition, comparison, blowing your own trumpet before man and God. This can also be seen through the spirit of boasting over good works done for others; instead of been thankful for the position of priviledge received from God to serve others, you become boastful and ungrateful to the source and suppliers of your goodness – God. It is delusional to think we can manipulate God to enter heaven by any of the good works without repentance from sin from dead works, bearing fruit worthy of repentnce, and growing into the fullness of the image of Christ through the fruit of the Spirit in the application of the word of God: if thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receives he of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. Job 35:7-8.
The two Pharisees destroys their neighbours, one in his heart, the other with his mouth: the hypocrites with his mouth destroys his neighbour. Little wonder our Lord constantly and openly denounced the hypocrisies of the Pharisees in his preaching. Proverbs 11: 9. The two Pharisees are foolish, lack divine wisdom of approach in divine worship which can only be impacted by the Spirit of God in the knowledge of individual intimacy in their respectives relationship or personal search for God. They both looked and talked down on their fellow worshipers and seekers, instead of personal examination of individual before God….he that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. Proverbs 11: 12. He that despises (looked down, belittled and counted as uncommon) his neighbour sin. Proverbs 14: 21. As long as the two Pharisees refused to remove the beam from their own eyes, they cannot see clearly, still in their sins, not qualified to remove the mote out of their brother’s eyes. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5. The two Pharisees shown spiritual madness in their fellowship and devotion in the presence of the Lord: for we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commends that commends themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise. 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Simeon thought he was more better and holier than the woman in his heart by saying within himself, if this man is truly a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him: for she is a sinner Luke 7: 39. The other Pharisee measured his worth before God by comparing himself to, and accussing and condeming the publican’s conducts before God in his prayer, saying, I am not as this man is, extortioner, unjust, adulterer. Luke 18:11.
As natural man and in a fallen world, where Satan rule as god, our heart is wicked, evil and corrupt. Man was conceived and born in sin, vile and corrupt, he drinks iniquity as water. Job 15:16. Nothing clean can ever come out of an unclean man (Proverbs 20:9) until he personally invites and accepts the purifier and sanctifier (Christ) into his life to purify the sinner unto himself a peculiar person, zealous of good works…..put them in remembrance to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good works, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness (unassertive, self-deprecatory) to all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diver’s lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3; 1-7.
Prior to our conversion, we were sinners under the condemnation and the danger of suffering of eternal vegeance before the Lord found and saved us by divine mercy. Though, our iniquity may not be gross and malign as others; yet, our little sin has brought us under the same condemnation of sins and were children of destruction and perdition as others.
Either by a high look or a mean spirit by a despised heart for others, or with a proud and stout words and arrogant dealings toward anyone, is sin. This is the plowing of the wicked. We cannot be accepted and vindicated before God when we scorn, constantly and falsely critical of others. Proverbs 21:4. We ought to receive one another, as God received us for Christ sake. There is no speacial advantage we have over any before God, to treat others with contempt and disdain, or to relate with them as lesser being in the presence of God is to despise them – whosoever despises his neighbour sinned. Proverbs 14:21.
It is very important that we abase in the sense of our own unworthiness as fallen mean creatures, vile but converted sinners, drawn by divine love and mercy, unworhty to do anything for God or to receive any good from him or to have anything to do with him, except by his love, which we must also extend and share with others – blessed is the man whom thou chooses, and causes (influences and enables) to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, and of thy holy temple. Psalms 65:4. Hosea 11:4.
There are some evil hearted brethren among us, whenever they see anyone in any strange and divers temptations of a prolonged trouble, they’ll already judged him for a sin, he must need to confess and repent from something. The two pharisees are sin hunters and fault finders in other’s peoples life. Prove yourself to have rejoicing in yourself and not in another. To seek for other’s error for an occasion to reproach them is unacceptable, a deadly punishable sin from the rightoeus Judge – the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off. James 1:2. Isaiah 29:20.
Prophet Samuel fought all night in prayer for Saul’s restoration back into fellowship with God: it should also be our burden to pray for all men to be saved, a grief of heart when we see our brethren who are not walking acceptably before God, but joy and the cause of our constant thanksgiving to God for their improvements, growth and fruitfulness in the Lord – For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith and charity, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you and our labour be in vain. But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast (steadfast, upright and unmovable) in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3: 5-8.
The sinner’s woman at Simon’s house and the publican at the temple were justified for their humility……Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble; thou wilt prepared their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Psalms 10:13. She humbly went behind the Lord’s back at his feet; while the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner – A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honour shall uphold the humble in the spirit. Proverbs 29:23.
We are admonished by the scriptures to come to the throne of grace with full assurance of faith: having an high priest -Jesus who has gone into the heavens to appear in the presence of God for us: to come with boldness, that we may obtain mercy and grace – which is available to the humble, to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4: 14-16.
The un-invited guest at Simon’s house and the publican in the temple, were both possessed with the spirit of self-judgment and condemnation before God. The un-invited guest at Simon’s house and the publican in the temple, were both possessed with the spirit of self-judgment and condemnation before God. This is the spirit of a ‘no contest’ plea similar to a plea of guilty in the civil or criminal law court. As the defendant enters a guilty plea, it is considered to be the voluntary waivers of right: the benefit of which can be the reduction of punishment for his crime(s) committed. Not only admits to his crime, but remorsely sorry for them, and begs for mercy and pardon.
When we come to Christ, our plea of guilty and no contest to our sins and transgressions efface our sins by the blood of the Lamb to bring or activate the righteousness of Christ into effect, removing all consequences and penalties through our faith in him that justify the ungodly. The woman knelt down at Christ feet behind him, weeping, being ashamed of herself and convicted by her sins, washed the feet of the Lord with her tears, and did wiped them with the hairs of her head – just as I am, thou will received, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, because thy promise, I believed, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Romans 4:5.
Everyone knows her for whom she is; but she has never hide for what she has been, and never has she presented herself for whom she were not before the Lord: now, when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, this man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him: for she is a sinner. Luke 7:38.
His going forth is from everlasing, therefore the Lord knows excatly who we are, and what has been, and where we’ve been in the past before we get back to the Sherpherd and Bishop of our soul. He told Nathanael, when thou art under the fig tree, before Philip called you, I saw you. John 1:48. Nevertheless, because he desires truth in the inward parts (Psalms 51: 5-6), we should have to tell him where we’ve been, and what we’ve been doing all this while, and what we have become without him – prodigal. We should never hide our location and sin like Adam before the all-seeing eyes of God: if I covered my transgressions like Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom, let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. Job 31: 33-40.
On his part, the publican openly judged himself in the temple before God, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Both of them, the sinner’s woman, through her humbled gesture of a sincere heart of un-spoken pleas; and the publican, by his open confession to God in the temple, obtained their desired pardon and justification.
Do not wait until the Lord brings you into judgement; because when he stands to judge, none shall be justifed before him. Make a deal with him and admit your sins with repentant heart for forgiveness and by turning away from your sins. The bible declares; if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged – God look upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right (self -judgment) and it profited me not (self-condemnation). He (God) will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things worked God oftentimes with man (of a broken spirit andcontrite heart) to bring his soul (forgiveness and redemption) from the pit, to be enlightened (restoration and fellowship with the saints in light) with the light of the living. Job 33:27-30. 1 Corinthians 11:31.
Have we not been judged by own conscience for contempt against the will and word of God, walking contrary to his ways? Sinned so as to discover that there is no profit in it, but an eternal loss? Let us then go before God in earnest prayer with this honest acknowledgment. He asks no more and we can do no less. He will deliver us from the pit of hell which is enlarging itself each passing day to grant us life and light. Why should we be reluctant? Why should we even doubt? The Lord does not mock, frown at or reject humble souls, but is close to them. The Lord is faithful and just to forgive, and the guilty shall be forgiven, the conscience purge from dead works by the blood of Jesus to serve the living God: O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, what have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent and he shall know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.) Psalms 138: 6. Hosea14.
The Lord shall redeem Israel from his iniquities. Psalms 130:7-8. This text further confirms the truth that we can be freed from any past, present and future sins. Our Jacob can be changed to Israel, if he seek after God in earnest prayer for a change, and the hallow of his thigh is broken, his pride broken.
Sometimes, it will take a genuine divine encounter like Jacob and Isaiah for spiritual brokenness to take its effects in a believer’s life. Sometimes, it takes a very long chastening in the lives of those God loves to accomplish this important process of spiritual brokenness in them, that they might partake in his holiness of God, just like Apostle Paul was humbled by the thorn of the flesh sent from God, to save him from pride – the condemnation of Satan. When prophet Isaiah encountered God, he declared himself as a man of unclean lips, dwelling with unclean people: but he was touched and cleansed, and his iniquity is taken away, and his sin purged. Isaiah 6:5-7. Job, through the experience of his encounter with God, declared, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6.
The spiritually broken seek meekness, and they made themselves ready to walk and live in all humbleness of mind for their salvation against that day (Zephaniah 2:3), when the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men, shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day, when every one one that is lofty shall be brought low.
There are two generations of men in the world – the arrogant men and the humbled men. The first are the generation of the first Adam, fallen for the pride of life. They are full and sure of themselves, and are sure of everything, and know all things by themselves. They live for the world and it revolves around them. They are quick to criticize and condemns, they resent corrections and reproofs; quick to teach and difficult to be taught, and can be disrespectul without apology to anyone: they are descending fast and straight into hell. Isaiah 5:14.
It is the curse of the fall as man played into the hands of Satan, instead of becoming like God as suggested or promised by Satan, if they should eat the fruit forbidden by God, they become rebellious and arrogant like Satan; until they meet Christ and are taught and delivered by the King who is meek and lowly in heart, they will never be freed from this chain – O how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. Proverbs: 16: 5. Proverbs 30:13.
The second generation is from the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. These are men and women born of his Spirit, new creatures in Christ Jesus, walking daily in the Spirit and growing in the fruit therein; practically cultivating to reflect the fruit and the resemblance of the risen Lord through his spirit that dwells in them: let this mind be in you, which was in also in the Lord Jesus. They walk and live humbly in mowliness of spirit like their King. These have been with Christ and his is upon them. If any man compel them to go for a mile, they shall go as far as two. If any man will sue them at the law, and take away their coat, they shall be willingly to give him their cloake as well. They will do all these things, just to be found in him, endeavor to be like him, and with him, now for eternity.