hmmm, I read this today on Desiring God Blog written by Abraham Piper
April 14, 2008 | By: Abraham Piper
Category: Commentary I often justify my anger by telling myself that I’m not like the person I’m angry at. If someone gives me the finger for no good reason while I’m driving, I instantly feel like I have a right to be mad, because I would never treat anyone that way.
I feel justified in my frustration at that rude driver, because I don’t flip people off when they tick me off. So I must be a better person, right? And if I’m a better person, I can rightly judge that driver for his wrongdoing, can’t I?
Of course, I know I sin in some ways, but I don’t sin the same as that driver. So when it comes to his sins, I have every right to be critical of him. We’re different.
But Jesus disagrees.
In the story of him saving the adulteress from being stoned, he didn’t say, “Let him who has never committed adultery be the first to throw a stone at her.”
If he had, she would’ve been quickly pounded by numerous self-justified stones, because surely most of the crowd hadn’t sinned like this woman had.
But no, Jesus doesn’t seem to rank sins like we do. He says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
He seems to have two categories in this story: perfect and not perfect. So what Jesus really suggests is, if you are in the latter category, what in the world do you think you’re doing judging other people who are also imperfect just like you?
The fact that I’m imperfect in a different way—that I don’t sin the same as the guy who gave me the old highway salute—is totally irrelevant to Jesus. As long as I’m any kind of sinner, no matter how benign my faults might seem, I am still just that—a sinner, the same as an adulteress or a gesticulatively angry driver.
There is only one place I belong, and it’s not standing with stones in my fists, threatening someone else in the “not perfect” category. No, the only place I belong is crouching in hope at the feet of Jesus with the adulteress, and hopefully, with that other guy on the interstate, too.
Personally i think there is a balance. We are both sinner and saint. Because of the shed blood of Christ we are in right standing with Him- we are righteous.
But I have yet to meet one person on this earth who is perfect- thoughts, actions and all. My, how we would look down on others who weren't perfect like us. Knowing that I am not perfect keeps me in absolute awe of God's amazing grace.
For those of you who have reached perfection. I salute you. Unfortunately I stumble daily- if not in action, then in thoughts and/or attitude.
"The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don't sin, I don't commit adultery, 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."
-Luke 18:11-14
In Him, Chanin
