How amazed we are of God’s grace is proportional to how much of a sinner we feel we are.
Why do we not feel so amazed about the cross of Jesus? Why do we hear the gospel on Sundays and think, “eh, I already know this stuff. This is for beginners…” Why do we secretly blame God when things are not going our way? The reason is because we have never realized how much of a sinner we truly are. If we have realized deep down how great a sinner we really are but saw the grace of God in Jesus Christ saving us through the cross in spite of our sins, then we will never get over it.
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47
Jesus said this about a woman, possibly a town prostitute, who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, contrasting her with the Pharisee who didn’t even give Jesus the guest of honor’s honor. But here’s the critical question to get: Was the prostitute a greater sinner than the Pharisee? In our minds, “yes.” Being a prostitute is worse than being a Bible teacher. But not in Jesus’ book. It was the Pharisee who was the greater sinner because he was committing the only unpardonable sin of unbelief!
What does the sin of unbelief look like?
– “I really don’t think I’m really that bad a sinner! I know I am a sinner, but I’m really not that bad.” (Why do we feel that way? Because we compare ourselves to others who are as bad as we are. But who told us to compare ourselves to others? Compare to Jesus!)
– “I’ve paid my dues. I deserve to have some breaks!” (Really? I thought we deserved death and hell!)
– “I’ve been good! Why are things not going my way when bad people have it their way?” (Who is good but God alone?)
– We secretly judge people for their weight, what they wear, their accents, lifestyles, etc (Who gave you your genes and environment in which you were born?)
I find myself constantly comparing myself to others, demanding my rights, thinking much of my sacrifices, being proud of how non-judgmental I am, and delighting in others’ failures (Misery loves company) – but of course secretly as not to show… And I struggle mightily with wanting human accolades vs accolades from God. All the signs of being a Pharisee….
I’m utterly and helplessly in sin. Only the grace of God can save me.
At least 5 times a day a prayer is uttered in my head: “Have mercy on me O Lord a sinner!”
PH
One of my favorite stories in the Bible. I love the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector as well. The simple but honest prayer of the tax collector ” God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”