Today\u2019s reading might step on somebody\u2019s toes. Believe me when I say, \u201cI hope it does.\u201d Because, I know I\u2019m stepping on mine as I write it. And sometimes the truth hurts. We might not like that or want to hear that. But if we grow stronger\u2026.so be it. Let the truth hurt. Now that the warning is out of the way, let\u2019s begin. Remember who Jesus died with? Remember who else were on crosses? Yep. He was in between two thieves. I\u2019d like to suggest that you and I are like one of them. You read that correctly. We are like one of the thieves being executed. Let me explain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies have proven that we nearly always view ourselves as more moral than others. That we view our actions and behaviors as less harmful than others. We justify what we do by saying it\u2019s not as bad as what \u201cthey\u201d do. In the Bible we read about the Pharisees. They were offended by Jesus. In their eyes, they were righteous. They weren\u2019t bad, everything outside their circle was. Jesus refuted that by preaching that evil doesn\u2019t come from the outside in. It actually is the opposite. It comes from the inside out. Ouch!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like the Pharisees, we want to see ourselves as good people. We long for that. We even compare our sins to others. We don\u2019t steal. We don\u2019t harm others. Murder others. We tell ourselves\u2026Our lies are small. Our arrogance isn\u2019t hurting anyone. We talk behind other\u2019s backs. But are friendly to their faces. The list of our \u201charmless\u201d sins is lengthy. Any of this sound familiar? Now, let\u2019s return to the thieves. One mocked Jesus. The other knew he was guilty. So how are we like one of them? Here is my answer. They both needed a Savior. But, only one recognized that. Which one are you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today\u2019s reading might step on somebody\u2019s toes. Believe me when I say, \u201cI hope it does.\u201d Because, I know I\u2019m stepping on mine as I write it. And sometimes the truth hurts. We might not like that or want to hear that. But if we grow stronger\u2026.so be it. Let the truth hurt. Now that … <\/p>\n