Humble Honesty!

In Pau's letter to the church at Rome, he noted. . .
"(23) for ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, (24) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," ( Romans 3:23-24 ESV)

Paul here implied that all of us are in the same boat. All of us have the same need; help in dealing with sin in our life. Remember that John stated for us to say we have not sinned is to make God a liar. ( 1 John 1:10) Being honest we know we still need to continue confessing and repenting of sin. It is an act of "humble honesty" to admit we are imperfect individuals. Praise God that in Christ we can find justification by His grace.

This "humble honesty" should also keep us humble in how we approach others with regard to sin in their life. Rather than being harsh and judgmental, we ought to be motivated by genuine loving concern as we gently try to encourage their life back toward the path of righteousness. To not be condemning does not mean condoning. Remember the occasion when in an attempt to trap Jesus, a woman caught in the act of adultery was brought to Him. ( John 8) Though Jesus -- the only one there who actually did have the right to cast the first stone -- did not condemn her, He did not condone her actions, for he exhorted her to ". . . go, and from now on sin no more." ( John 8:11 ESV) She, like us, was urged to leave the life of sin behind. That is the act of repentance; turning away from sin and walking in the direction of God's Will.

Maintaining this sense of "humble honesty" with regard to sin will helps us continue appreciating God's grace as we graciously encourage others to walk in accordance with God's standard. May we seek to walk together in the path of righteousness God has laid out before us.

Have a great day KEEPING THE LIFE TURNED TOWARD GOD!
Carl

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