No, it really does.
I'm reading a book right now titled, "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning (and you should probably go grab yourself a copy). In the midst of his continual description of grace, he says that "we can't save ourselves. To the extent that we are self-made saints..the hookers and swindlers enter before us because they know they cannot save themselves..."
I get it. I've always known that God disciplines his children because of his love for us. Not to harm us. Not to make us angry at him. But because he sees the big picture, we don't, and he knows that it will make us run to him. (*eyes roll* I know it does me.)
If we are too self-righteous, think we've got it all right, think we don't necessarily need saved from anything, then we're too proud to see the cross for what it's worth. We look at the cross with blurred vision and can't see the extent of what REALLY happened on Calvary.
For some reason, we measure our sin against others'. Even upon reading the 'hooker' quote above, I'll guarantee that you, like myself, felt a sense of pride because you yourself are the 'farthest thing' away from a hooker. Guess what? You're not. I'm not. Here's the thing, though. Because society has let those hookers know just how 'bad' they are, they'll believe it. They, God-willing, will face their sin, realize how dirty they are, and KNOW that they cannot enter into those pearly white gates on their own accord. It's because they've been in the valley, they've faced their sin, they've been abandoned, and their souls are crying out for help. They've fallen so far that they know they are undeserving of God's grace. THIS is the moment of letting go of self-righteousness. They know they cannot save themselves.
Again, guess what? That's me. That's you. I know one thing. I know that Jesus died for all sins. So, to me? that means that he sees them equally. He doesn't see them like we see them. He sees the murderer and the liar as equal. BOTH undeserving.
Pride is the key word here. Pride tricks us into believing that we can save ourselves....that stupid, cliche, traditional acts will actually 'get us in'. Hah. I just get it now. It's not about how much time you spend in prayer, how many Sundays out of the month you can get yourself to that pew, how many times you open your home to 'fellowship', how much you throw in the offering (out of obligation). I legitimately think it takes our sin sinking us so bad, and GOD ALLOWING IT, for us to realize we are DIRTY, PRIDEFUL, SELFISH, BITTER, JEALOUS, MESSED UP, SINFUL beings....it takes this for us to realize that God alone, through his Son, can save us. That's grace....
...and it abounds.
I'd rather be that hooker....
