Christian Living
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
In my Internet reseach, after writing about how society is dealing with the drug problem, I found a comment from a Christian source that said it's good that drug abuse is being destigmatized. To have an honest look, as Socrates stiplated, I need to define my terms.
A shrink's definition of destignifying mentall illness: "As a Scottsdale psychiatrist, I view mental illness as a physiological disorder. Mental illness almost always has nothing to do with character, integrity, morality, or any other issue. Most often mental illness has to do with an organ’s inability to regulate certain chemicals, neurotransmitters, or hormones."
From Dictionary.com:
1. to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon:
The crime of the father stigmatized the whole family.
2. to mark with a stigma or brand.
3. to produce stigmata, marks, spots, or the like, on.
Drug abuse today is connected with mental illness. In the shrink's definition, being classified as "mentally ill" has nothing to do with what's right or wrong, not a character flaw. Wrong!
Pastor, counselor, and father of the Biblical counseling movement, Jay E Adams agrees that this is bunk:
"You need to understand that apart from injuries, tumors, and other brain problems, there is no such thing as mental illness. Those who use this terminology—unless they are speaking metaphorically—are using words inaccurately. All true "illness" is organic. Yet, these people, by adopting medical terminology, cloud the issue. How could a non-organic entity (whatever it may be) cause a non-organic illness? The very idea is preposterous. It is the body that becomes ill. Don't be deceived by medical terminology used to describe a non-medical problem."
To do crazy things, like dope, is disgraceful and the act, the behavior, is a stigma. But, after admitting guilt, sinful behavior, going to get Christian counseling is not a stigma. I did not save the comment about it being good that drug abuse is being destigmatized, but in context, the author may have meant that people with problems shouldn't worry about their image but decide to get counseling. They shouldn't worry about making it look like they have it all together, like the Pharisee in the parable. People shouldn't have to obsess about keeping up appearances. Instead, they should humble themselves before the Lord, like the tax collector, and plead for mercy for their sins. Once forgiven, they will be exalted.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us". 1 John 1:8-10
Christians need to have a sober view of themselves. "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." Lamentations 3:40
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Another excellent article. We must humble ourselves before God.
About the start on your book. You may have but 14 pages now, but, do not worry. What is the minimum length for a "book"? I think I have seen some published books, which I would call pamphlets, or booklets that are under 30 pages.
Number of pages does not matter, as you know. Content speaks more than sizes.
Some possible suggestions:
Work scripture into your book as much as possible. You can relate the sited reading to the homeless. Often the homeless are considered poor. Well, they can be poor in spirit, maybe, which Jesus says brings a blessing. There is the parable of the beggar Lazarus. Jesus speaks of the sheep and the goats, and their differing eternities.
I don't necessarily like to put homeless and poor together, but, too many associate them as being the same. I don't want to ramble here, just want to encourage you to pursue the writing of the book. Of course, the best thing you can do is approach the Lord in prayer about this matter. How can your book help to glorify God, and bring a better understanding to people about the homeless?
Keep up writing for the Lord. God bless you!
Roland