Yet A Sinner

Again this morning I did what I have done practically every morning of my life since the age of sixteen. I stood in front of a mirror and removed the beard stubble from my face. As I looked into the mirror I noticed that what I see today is not exactly what I saw some thirty years ago. What once was a head full of hair is now quite like an onion. The hair that was once a dark brown is now salt and pepper with very little pepper and a whole lot of salt. It seems that the face is not quite as thin as it used to be...it appears that gravity has pulled down upon it so that it is now a lot wider (if the mirror was full length, it would reveal that gravity has done the same thing to my waist line!). And, of all things, I do believe that I noticed some fine wrinkles beginning to form around my eyes! I am sure that what I saw this morning is what many of you see each day as well. Even the ladies as they stand in front of the mirror to do their hair and apply their makeup see similar changes slipping up on them.

But, as I stared into the mirror and it reflected back to me all of the changes that had taken place in my life, there was a deeper truth that it reflected back to me. The mirror caused me to think about the fact that though much had changed about me outwardly, there was still a central truth about me inwardly that had not changed. That truth was this...I am yet a SINNER. And, yes, I have been saved. There was that day and time that I called upon Jesus Christ to save me and He did. But, that does not change the fact that I am a sinner. I am now a saved sinner headed for heaven instead of a lost sinner headed for hell, but I am still a sinner.

I know that you may find it hard to believe, but I can actually place all of my sins into two categories. They are two categories that I grew up hearing my Dad pray about. Many a time I heard him ask God to forgive him for the sin of omission and the sin of commission. As a child I had no clue as to what he was talking about. As I grew in my understanding of Scripture I began to learn. It is really very simple; the sin of omission occurs when we know to do what is right and we don't do it, while the sin of commission is doing that which we know is wrong to do. Sadly, there is not a day that goes by but what I commit a sin(s) that fit into these two categories.

Understanding that I am a lowly sinner who commits these sins as I do and being reminded of it while looking into the mirror each morning, keeps me from becoming puffed up with pride. It keeps me from becoming self righteous and looking down upon everyone else. It also gives me a greater appreciation for Grace (God's riches at Christ's expense)...that unmerited favor that God showers me with. Oh friend, the day that we lose sight of the fact that we are sinners, even though we are saved sinners, is the day that we lose sight of the majesty and greatness of Holy God. He is a God who can love us who are unlovable! I pray that as you read this short devotion God will reveal to you again this fact in your life. When He does, don't revel in the fact that you are a sinner, but rather revel in the fact that He yet loves you and grants grace to you daily! Then, ask Him to help you become more Christ like and less sinner like!