Mould Your CharacterSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: There are two ways in which you may deal your evil habits and shortcomings in your character. You may claim that whatever you do is always right and be led in your own ways, or humble yourself and seek God's guidance. Choose the latter to enter into life. Once a prince visited a prison to meet the prisoners who were sentenced to death or imprisonment for life. He enquired everyone of their crime. Everyone denied to have done any crime and they complained of wrong judgement. But one prisoner replied in tears, "Your Royal Highness, I murdered a man and so I have been rightly sentenced to death. I regret having committed the murder and weep over it everyday." The Prince ordered the Jailer to release him immediately. Everyone was surprised. But he received his release because instead of arguing over his self-righteousness, he admitted his crime and 'waited' for the Prince's 'grace'.
There are two things you can do when you come to God's presence. You may ask, "Lord! What is wrong with me? What is the mistake that I have made?" or humble yourself as the tax collector did in the parable that Jesus said.
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'" (Luke 18:13)
He humbled himself and waited for God's grace. He went to his house justified. So also, humble yourself in the presence of God. Wait for His grace. Plead with Him, "Lord, I am a sinner." He will surely forgive you. He will release you from all evil habits. He will shower His grace upon you!
Jesus said, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17)
A friend of mine once went to a Sunday School to teach some songs to the children. He played his guitar to accompany the songs. He taught the children and he thought of resting awhile before preaching the sermon. As he neared a chair, a little boy from behind pulled it aside. Poor fellow! He tripped and fell. All the children had a hearty laugh. The boy who pulled the chair clapped his hands and roared with laughter. When my friend got up briskly, everyone thought that the boy who pulled the chair would get a good beating. But my friend also clapped his hands and laughed aloud, and began singing, "Jesus loves me, this I know." The boy who saw that was heart-broken. He realized what a great wrong he had done. In spite of that the man was smiling at him and was singing so joyfully! His conscience pricked him and made him cry uncontrollably.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is also like that friend of mine. However serious might have been your misdeeds, he desires to forgive you and cheer you up. Just say like that tax collector, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." He will grant you sufficient grace to live righteously even in this sinful world.
Prayer:
Gracious Lord Jesus,
Help me to be perfect just as You are perfect. Grant me Your divine mercy and wash me clean by Your precious blood. Help me to never fall back to my old ways. Guide me to walk along with You to reach Your heavenly kingdom. I humble myself before Your holy presence. Grant me Your grace to follow Your footsteps and lead a god-fearing life. I give all the glory to Your precious name.
Amen. |