PIGS IN THE MUD

Now I don’t want to appear to be self righteous but I really am an all around good guy. I mean I’ve got a pretty good list of credentials that ought to qualify me as good. I tell the truth (really I do). I don’t smoke and I’m not an alcoholic or drug addict. I’m a good husband and father (my wife and kids even say the same thing). I’m not a shoplifter or thief. I’m not a murderer. I work hard. As a matter of fact I do have credentials as an ordained pastor! I suppose if I wanted to I could go on and on with the reason why I’m not a bad person.

If you are honest you probably think you’re a good person too. You too could come up with a long list. You don’t cheat on your taxes. You drive the speed limit. You never lose your temper. You read the Bible, pray and go to church on Sunday. You gave some money to the guy with the “Will work for food” sign. On and on I could go. You and I really are saints.

How often do we see ourselves through ‘rose colored glasses?’ All of our imperfections are glossed over and anything good we have ever done is magnified. The scales of justice would certainly be in our favor. Isn’t it time we took an honest look in the mirror?

• [6] Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did . . . [13] No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
  1 Corinthians 10:6, 13 (NIV)

I hate to burst our bubble but we are not good people. No one is (not even Billy Graham, the Pope, Mother Teresa or anyone else you might want to put on the ‘good people’ list). The people of Israel thought they had arrived too. God had come to their rescue and brought them out of the bondage of Egypt. They were his chosen people. Nevertheless they sinned.

God has come to our rescue too. Jesus has pulled us out of sin. But we need to be careful that we don’t fall back into it. The trouble with a pig is that you can give it a bath but it goes right back into the mud. Believe it or not we will do the very same thing without God’s help. Fortunately for us the Lord is always there to show us how to escape the lure of sin. I want to always be on the look out for God’s ‘EXIT’ sign. Only God can keep me out of sin. What do you think?