I read an article that described how a woman overcame her drinking habit – however, it was only after she admitted that she had a problem. She said that the really emotional moment for her came when she brought herself to say the words, “My name is Jacquelyn, and I am an alcoholic.”
Up until that point, she had been saying to everyone that her slurred speech, drowsiness, and other problems were due to the medication she was taking for a chronic ailment. The whole family knew what the real cause was, and confronted her. As a result, she finally faced up to her problem. Before that, she was a hopeless case. But when she said, “I am an alcoholic,” there was hope.
It’s much the same way with salvation. As long as a person makes excuses for his or her sinful behaviour, they will never experience true spiritual deliverance. It is only when he or she admits, “I am a sinner and cannot save myself,” that the Lord Jesus Christ will rescue the person from sin and its awful consequences.
There are many people that of course do not find any relevance in this message, because they may be all too confident in their own righteousness. Well, here is a parable that the Lord Jesus shared to address this stumbling block.
Luke 18:9-14
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Luke 18:9-14)
If you have never done so before, admit your guilt and receive the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Remember, salvation is for sinners only.
You see, the Lord Jesus can change even the foulest sinner into the finest saint.
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God bless you and keep on keeping on…
Tony Anthony
