A LOOK INTO THE MIRROR LOOK IN THE MIRROR

A LOOK INTO THE MIRROR LOOK IN THE MIRROR

"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'" (Luke 18:13)

If you've ever wondered how far God would go to show His love, look in the mirror and wonder no more. We need not look any further than ourselves to find the most shocking and amazing displays of God's grace. If we think otherwise, it is only because we have not seen ourselves as we truly are.
It has been said and sung many times: "There but for the grace of God go I." At first this sounds grateful, but such sentiment masks a dangerous pride. It is actually not unlike the statement of a religious leader in Jesus' day as he looked upon a sinner on his knees crying out for God's mercy. "Lord I thank you that I am not like that sinner over there," the Pharisee prayed. It is a view that focuses on someone else's misfortune. Someone else is worse than I am. Much better to be thinking and praying, "Here, because of the grace of God, and for no other reason, am I." I am the only person I truly know about when it comes to sin. I am the authority on the subject.
The Pharisee hasn't a clue about the sinner-who he is or what he has done. Nor does he have any business making the assumption that the sinner is lot is any worse than his. The only prayer any of us can pray on the subject of sin is: "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." This is the only prayer that sends heaven scurrying.
It is best to steer completely clear of the comparison game. Any attempt to better oneself at the mercy of someone else's failure will always bring a twisted view of both ourselves and others.
The immensity of God's mercy is not displayed in what He did for the world, or for someone else. Nor is it discovered through some theological understanding of the many nuances of His grace. The immensity of God's mercy is revealed finally-and only-in the incredible realization that, lo and behold, it found out the worst of the lot. It looked from heaven and found out me!

John Fischer

Scripture Reading: Genesis 29-30; Matthew 9:1-17

This morning's devotional is from the Keswick daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE, soon to be released in it's second edition. Watch for details. To order a copy, call the KESWICK BOOKSTORE -- 800-453-7942 ext. 31.

Join us today for our Community Open House right on the beautiful grounds of America's KESWICK. 11-3!!! See you there. Please be sure to mention to me that you are a member of the Freedom Fighter family.