Comments on: A Parable That Works Like a Judo Master

By: A Christ-Centered Approach to Bible Study-Part 2 | Fallen and Flawed

A Christ-Centered Approach to Bible Study-Part 2 | Fallen and Flawed — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:17:14 +0000

[...] other words, I thought Jesus was bringing the smack down on puny [...]

By: Daniel C. Wilson

Daniel C. Wilson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:13:15 +0000

Christ-centric, or God-centric? Curious how Chandler developed that.

That raises an interesting point though, because David’s prayers frequently pointed God to look at his blameless walk.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:30:56 +0000

I was listening to Matt Chandler talk about this section not too long ago. He pointed out the Pharisee was actually praying a Christ-centric prayer which made it even hard to swallow.
I mean, how many of us would NOT thank God that we are not like robbers, murderers and adulterers?
How many of us DO NOT draw it to God’s attention that we tithe?
Not many.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:17:43 +0000

Thanks, Daniel. I’m always glad I came. Grace and peace to you, brother!

By: Marvin Merriweather

Marvin Merriweather — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:14:38 +0000

I really enjoyed this commentary. I’m glad I’m not like the 21st century Pharisees who dwell in the blogosphere!

By: Daniel C. Wilson

Daniel C. Wilson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:39:33 +0000

You got me. Homophones have long been the bane of my grammatical existence.

My instructor owned me like that once (or twice..or…). Still kept going back for more though.

By: Daniel C. Wilson

Daniel C. Wilson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:34:49 +0000

Ruth, you deserve some sort of award for coming to the blog so regularly to share your heart and hope in God. I appreciate you.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:54:39 +0000

BTW, I’m glad I’m not like that guy in your picture being owned by the other dude.

Oops!

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:48:16 +0000

Ah, yes. It’s the pharisee to the pharisee. I have many pharisaical moments. Thanks, Daniel, for being transparent and truthful.

Do you mean “thrown” instead of “throne” in your last line?

By: Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:31:57 +0000

Powerful commentary, Daniel. Thanks for sharing your honest response to these Scriptures as you moved from missing something to receiving wisdom and truth from your Father!

It is a relief to admit sin, to not be encumbered by the weight of God’s law and the weight of our inability to uphold that law, to rest freely in His grace. Paul talks about this freedom all the time. I am only beginning to grasp what it means and how wonderful it is.

Works come as fruit of the Spirit living within us, not because of anything within ourselves. Paul reminds us all the time to glorify in Christ alone. He had all sorts of works to fall back on – upholding the Jewish law and then reaching so many with the Gospel – but he always carefully reminded us that any human “righteousness” is as filthy rags to the Lord (a long, hard lesson for this prideful child to learn) and pointed to the only good and perfect Being, our Lord and Redeemer!

Praise the Lord for revealing to us our sinful nature and allowing us to sincerely confess our sins! and praise Him for His great and everlasting mercy to pardon those sins!