Ouch!

One of my greatest failings as a Christian is my ability to see faults in other people while not recognizing or acknowledging my own. On the rare occasion when I am being honest about my own areas of struggle I usually tell myself that my faults are not on the same level as those other people I know.

While I may find some comfort in this attitude it puts me in direct conflict with my Lord. Jesus addressed this very issue in Matthew 7:3 when he asks the question, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Ouch! But the question is relevant, even if I do not like its directness. Why do I do this? Or maybe even a better question would be, what gives me the right?

Sin is always difficult to discuss because I have become so adapted at rationalizing my own sins while judging the severity or depth of the faults I perceive in others.  This will always put in direct conflict with the faith I profess – with the Christ I claim to follow.

A true recognition of sin starts with the reality that I am a sinner. My faith should encourage me to take a good look at myself, for it is here changes must be made. I must remember the famous words of John Newton, “I once was blind but now I see,” and realize my blindness is caused by my sin but grace has rescued me. I must understand that to acknowledge my own sin is to confirm that the Spirit of God dwells in me.

RefRev