And, having done the things on this list, you can then stand and say “God, I thank you that I am not as other men; extortioners, unjust, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.”
Make a list for spiritual progress, and you’ve fallen into the trap of legalism and pride.
Why make a list? Why not just love God with all your heart?
Hey Lurk!
Good question. Christ said, If you love me you will keep my commandments. Now, if someone started bragging about how great they were in regard to how they were doing, I think your statement about the Pharisee would be dead on. However, as a simple private measure of where can I continue to improve, these type of things do not hurt.