Jesus also told this parable [of the self-righteous Pharisee] to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. (Luke 18:9)
Roy’s old truck rattled on a dusty Mexican road. My heart was as dry as the tumbleweeds that blew past. I’d arranged to be alone with this thin, gentle man so I could take the second step in confession. Confessing to God had gained forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Now I needed to confess to a trusted brother for healing from my sin’s wound (James 5:16).
Roy was perhaps the godliest man I knew, yet he was humble toward his own shortcomings. My admission was barely out of my mouth when he steered around a pothole and launched into prayer.
“In the name of Jesus, I proclaim Don free from the power this secret had over his life. His sin is removed as far as the east is from the west. Amen.
“Now, son, don’t speak again of what’s been pardoned.”
All Christians find forgiveness—some advance toward holiness, very few discover Roy’s combination of purity and patience. That’s where Jesus wants my heart to go next, demanding personal holiness from myself while maintaining resolute patience with his work in others. Both sides of that equation are nearly impossible to attain, yet the power of grace is available for the transformation. Through Jesus, my heart can be made into a habitat that slams the back door on sin and holds the front door open to others.
Rattling down the bumpy road of life, I must focus on the five mile gap between my holiness and that of Jesus, and not on the one inch of improvement I think I’ve gained ahead of someone else. The integrity to admit how far I fall short of God’s mark is essential to improving my righteousness, to accepting others, and to getting along toward Roy’s Christlikeness.
Prayer: Strong Jesus, work grace in me to hate my sin and be patient with others.