And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:2-3
It feels good to point the finger doesn’t it? To look at other human beings and their ill circumstances and think they must be bad people to have suffered some bad fate while we beat our chest in comparison thinking we are so good. Especially when the scenarios play into our prejudices — religious, political, racial, etc. It must be their fault that such harm has come upon them. And yes, maybe sometimes there can be fault to be found; however, no matter the fate people face in life and whether we believe their sins are greater than our own, one thing rings clear for EVERYONE — UNLESS we repent, we will all likewise perish.
So let’s stop pointing the finger at others in supposing they are greater sinners and start pointing it at ourselves. I am at fault. I am a great sinner who needs to repent because whatever sin I have committed has cost the same price. I put measures on the severity of sin but every sin makes me unholy and unworthy to be before a holy God. Taking personal responsibility to turn away from each and every one of my sins without pointing the finger at others in comparison is where my true repentence is found. And then, when I consider each of my own sins in light of my unholiness, I will not point the finger to beat my own chest, but instead have the humility to teach others to repent lest we all likewise perish.
Prayer:
You, Father, are holy and the source of everything that is good, and I recognize that it is even just one sin that makes me unholy to be in Your presence. Yet, I have sinned more than once. In fact, so many times that I cannot keep count. But, You are so gracious to provide a way to cleanse every single one of my sins through the blood of Christ. It is the price He paid not only for my sins, but for others too. Teach me to remember my trespasses whenever I am tempted to point the finger in arrogance supposing that another’s sin is greater. Help me to discern the best way to humbly teach about Christ’s life-giving repentance as I turn away from the sins that so easily ensnare me. Please forgive me, Lord, lest I perish without You. Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 