> > > Please forgive me

> > You are forgiven as far as I am concerned.

> > >, the measure is not in the Words of the Pharisee as they
> > > publically elevate themselves, but in their actions measured against the
> > > scale of our Lord in His many examples of what a Pharisee does.

> > Yes, some Pharisees publicly elevate themselves among their peers by
> > performing public acts (public prayer, fasting, alms et cetera) that
> > are deemed "good" by their peers.  Such acts could very well be acts of
> > self-glorification as they may seem to be outwardly with only the LORD
> > knowing whether this is also the case inwardly. Such folks receive
> > praise from mortals for their outward display of "good" works and so it
> > is written they have received their reward already.

> > On this side of the cross, born-again Christians know that we are not
> > saved by such "good" works but by our faith in Christ Jesus as our
> > LORD, our Savior, and our GOD **and** HIS infinite mercy and grace in
> > purchasing us from our deadly sins with HIS OWN blood.

> > And, so it remains my choice to continue to walk with Christ, Whom I
> > love with all my being as HE guides me in everything I say, do, and
> > write.  This I do without fear of anything in this world though I
> > tremble inside with fear and awe of HIM.  Indeed, I joyfully receive
> > the world's insults and ridicule for my unwavering choice to be openly
> > Christian because such slings and arrows from the world serve well to
> > prove that there has been no self-glorification.

> Matthew 6
> 17  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
> 18  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is
> in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee
> openly.

> Why are you supposed to anoint your head and wash your face when you
> fast?