A story is told of Pope Leo XII and a visit he made to the jail of the Papal States in 1825, which goes like this: The pope insisted on questioning each of the prisoners as to how he had come to be there. Every man protested his innocence--all but one, that is, who humbly admitted that he was a forger and a thief. Turning to the jailer, the pope said sternly, "Release this scoundrel at once, before his presence corrupts all these noble gentlemen here!"

We chuckle, but there's a lesson here for all of us: God's forgiveness goes to those who know they need it, don't deserve it, and can't earn it--to those who depend solely on the mercy and grace of God. It's like what Jesus told the self-righteous, hypocritical religionists of His day, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains" (John 9:39-41).

That goes for salvation, but it also goes for everyday living. How often are we like the other men in the story, bound up in pious little prisons of our own making because we aren't willing to admit our mistakes and shortcomings? It's silly, really, to try to keep up the pretense of being so perfect or righteous when the Lord and we and others all know we're anything but. All the while, Jesus is trying to tell us, "Lighten up! Stop trying to be perfect, because you never will be. Just do the best you can and trust Me for the rest!"

Let's not be self-righteous, but get down to what really counts--being ourselves, loving the Lord, and sharing the good news with others: "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!" (John 8:36).

Keith Phillips
For the Activated Family