(Another in the series of articles that appear in the Greene County Dailies)
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt 5:4
When we finally recognize we are less than perfect (a polite way of saying what the Bible calls “sinners”), there are numerous strategies we might employ—only one of which yields good results.
We can deny the truth—calling sin something else: mistakes, misunderstandings, and weaknesses. Each partially true, but honesty compels us to see our motives and actions are often selfish, uncaring, and possibly cruel.
We can compare ourselves with others, concluding we are better than average. If that is God’s measure, we would be alright. However, God says “Be perfect!” “Be holy!” No matter how much better than me you are, you are not perfect.
We can assume that as long as our good outweighs our bad, we will make it. But whose scales will we use? And who assigns “weight” to good that is done with mixed motives?
Our only hope is to do what Jesus said—mourn. Recognizing we are sinners and we can’t change ourselves, we cry out in despair, and are comforted by the only one who can change us and has paid the price for our sins already.
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