In the Same Boat

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?
Psalm 130:3
The best teachers of a language are native speakers. If I want to learn computer programming, I'll ask a programmer. And if I want to know about the Jewish religion, my first choice is not to approach the local Baptist preacher but a rabbi. Experts on just about any subject are those who have firsthand experience of it, not those who have only heard about it.

The Bible backs up this truism. All of us, from the greatest to the least, are guilty of some sort of wrongdoing—probably lots of sorts of wrongdoing. And Jesus makes it clear that he was there for us sinners. All we had to do was realize we were all in the same boat and genuinely desire reconciliation with God and with our neighbor. What's interesting is that those who are entrusted with the message of forgiveness and reconciliation are the very ones who were once the worst of sinners.

Perhaps we shouldn't boast of our iniquities. But we should boldly accept the commission granted to us by being forgiven.

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
 2 Corinthians 5:19
Prayer after thinking about today's devotion:
I confess my sins to you, O loving God. I ask for your forgiveness in Jesus' Name. And I accept my responsibility to share the good news of your grace with others who find themselves in the same boat.
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After your own thanksgivings & petitions, close with the Lord's Prayer.
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