SINNER OR SAINT?

In the old-fashioned testimony meetings that went out of style long years ago, I recall some pickle-faced Christians testifying, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." The rest of the pickle faces would nod their agreement. (Calling people "pickle faced" isn't very charitable of me, I guess, but then...)

Two "men of the cloth" were out fishing -- so goes the story. Fish weren't biting well that day; and one preacher, tired of waiting for a tug on his line, picked up his Bible and began to read. A mischievous prankster nearby who had been watching the scenario began to sing. His voice tauntingly drifted across the water, "You're a sinner, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Undaunted, the clergyman responded with the song, "Only a sinner, saved by grace."

I will admit that as Christians, we are all sinners saved by grace. But why major on the past, on the negative? Some people, of course, seem to think that's a mark of humility. Humility disguised as spiritual pride, I'd say!

Let's rejoice, instead, in the far more attractive testimony and truth of, "I'm a child of God!"

Preacher's Kid