Do you have a CV? I suppose, for many of us, the days of CV writing are past. But there are still times when someone wants (or needs) to know about our past. What education, what occupation, what achievements (or failed attempts), what accolades or awards?
With CVs, there’s an element of competition – an employer wants the best available. And in social settings there’s always the temptation: if someone has achieved something or done something, how do I show I’m not inferior.
How often do you come to church, or read your Bible, or pray, or help someone, or visit the sick? Do the answers translate into score on St Peter’s ‘Gates of Heaven Scorecard’?
I suspect St Peter would say that even having such a scorecard makes you a metaphorical ‘Pharisee’.
Jesus talks about two men. One with an impressive scorecard; the other knows it would be worthless.
And yet it is the one who acknowledge God’s holiness (and his sinfulness) and God’s mercy (and his unworthiness) and God’s salvation (and his inability) who is justified at the end of the encounter.
“all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14
Raymond