If I accept what the word of God says about the depravity of a human heart and the depths I can sink to, without God’s grace and mercy on me, then I do not have to prove it. It does not have to be my experience. Do I believe that without the Lord’s hand upon me I can be capable of any sin?

We all need a Saviour and a Redeemer. After receiving salvation from Jesus Christ, we discover He is also our “Keeper” as the great Shepherd of our souls. God’s word declares, “As it is written; There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

God’s word is plain, in our own flesh and standing, we cannot reach the mark of His righteousness, but hallelujah!…..He has made a way, a plan to bring us all in, if we choose to receive and follow Jesus Christ, His Son. This gospel is a “whosoever” gospel, (John 3:16), made available to all who will humble themselves to recognise their need of a Saviour, and receive Him into their heart. Here is where the divine exchange takes place: By receiving Jesus as my Saviour by faith in His finished work at Calvary, I become the righteousness of God. Now my standing is in His grace alone. I have no standing of my own. Romans 8 instructs us how to walk in the Spirit in humility and be free from condemnation. If I choose not to and rise up in pride, then the works of the flesh manifest in my life again, but I do not have to walk or live that way! All choice has consequence. The Indwelling Christ seeks to manifest His abundant life through me. When I choose humility it is as natural as breathing and the Presence of Christ manifests in my life as His peace and joy.

We cannot help but observe others’ lives, but we are not permitted to judge their failures. God’s word instructs that when we pass judgement on others, we condemn ourselves to do the very same things. Grave digging! Let us beware and not fall into this snare of Satan. Romans 2:1 “Therefore you are INEXCUSABLE, O man, whosoever you are that judges, for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you that judge others do the same things.” If I do not believe what God’s word says about my capabilities, then I will prove it! It is wisdom to accept that the Lord knows me much better than I know myself. If He took His hand of grace and mercy from my life, I could be capable to fall into any sin. I need my Saviour every moment of the day to keep me on track. It is His mercy that re-writes my life for His glory, and namesake.

When I judge others, I have no ministry for them. I cannot help but observe, but God’s word does not permit me to judge/condemn them. “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall, 1 Corinthians 10:12. If I have not committed the sin I see in others, I have to acknowledge that, apart from God’s grace, I am no different. It is the power and mercy of God that is keeping me.

Each individual is the product of their upbringing and life’s ensuing experiences. Some have had the benefit of a loving, family life which has produced a security, stability and quiet confidence to tackle the challenges that come along life’s journey. Others have experienced a very unstable upbringing which has produced insecurities and fears which they have taken into adult life producing serious issues. When we come to salvation, God understands us completely and knows everything about us. His unconditional love reaches every part of us. We are all flawed, whatever path we have trodden. We all need a Saviour to redeem our lives. Because we are all unique, our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need from Him to make us whole in Jesus, and what to teach us along life’s journey. He takes us individually along the path we need to healing and wholeness in Him. In learning how to walk in God’s ways, we have to “unlearn ” many wrong ways/ideas/teachings that have molded our lives. He takes us down to the Potter’s House, places us on His wheel and lovingly re-shapes the marred vessel into a vessel of honour and grace, fit for His divine purposes, (Jeremiah 18…Praise God for this chapter!)

As we journey along, we experience many things and can wrongly begin to trust in our experience, thinking it is a standard that can keep us from failure. This is wrong believing. Many people had the blessing of being raised in a Christian home, and yet, that experience did not keep them from back-sliding at a later date. Our only confidence should be in the keeping power of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Experience does not necessarily keep me from failure. I cannot apply my experience as a standard to judge other people’s lives from, thinking mine is the only right one. Where God has blessed my life, I have been a recipient of His grace and mercy. My only right standing is in Christ alone. It is Christ in me, the hope of glory -(God’s glory and credit due to His name.)

Ask yourself this question. What standard am I trusting in? My experience or Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the only standard we can trust in.