Jesus saved me.
It DOES NOT mean that now, I am some kind of saint who looks down on other people with disgust and consider myself to be perfect and flawless and thinks everyone is dirt.
I know that I will sin until I die. I may not sin as much or as often as I used to before coming to know Jesus, but God knows and I know that I will sin till my dying day. The Bible says this too:
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
No dear reader, this is not false humility. I’m not trying to appear as the picture perfect Christian. Meet up with me for a cup of coffee and let’s have a chat. I will tell you how difficult my/the Christian walk really is. I’ll tell you what I struggle with daily and how much I struggle. I’ll be honest with you. I’m always the Christian that Jesus wants me to be, not the Christian that everyone thinks I ought to be or expects me to be. I’m not someone who has everything right. No, I’m a real Christian who confesses to God every moment (and willing to confess to real people) all the wrong I say and do, admits it without hiding it, but relies on the grace of God, the mercy of God, the love of God, to keep going, to keep living, without losing hope or faith or giving up on love!
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
The true follower of Christ knows that he or she will never get the plank out entirely. You see, the plank represents our own sin. No one can be sinless here on Earth. But, that’s not the excuse for us to keep on living sinful lifestyles.
Dan quotes a verse from the story of the woman who is caught red handed, committing adultery. You can read the entire story in John 8:1-11. What Dan DOES NOT mention is another key truth from the story.
According to the law at the time, a woman caught in adultery was condemned to death by stoning. The religious leaders who brought the woman to Jesus was trying to trap Him. Jesus, in all wisdom, said to them:
“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)
Jesus used the plank principle! Everyone dropped the stones and walked away. WAIT! The story does not end there.
When everyone’s gone, Jesus asks the woman where her accusers are and if any of them has condemned her. She tells Jesus that no one has condemned her. Then, Jesus says this to her:
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin. (John 8:11)
Yes, Jesus forgives this woman and does not condemn her! But you will also notice that Jesus instructs her, commands her, to leave her life of sin!
Thank Sri 🙂
At last some ratnioailty in our little debate.