To be near unto God - pagina 277

There are two ways that here present themOne man minimizes his sin. He is offended when he is told of his guilt. He will not hear it said that he is guilty in all sorts of ways. He holds himself erect, and deems himself a selves.

saint.

;

This

and not to

is

the

way

to cover

up

one's sin,

not to return thanks for reconciliation and love; and consequently to remain far removed from the knowledge of God. But there is also another way. In this way the It is that of humbling oneself. thirst after reconciliation;

child of God distrusts himself. He is grateful for having sin pointed out to him. He investigates ever more closely his heart, his past, and the present state of his soul. And so there is eveiytime new need of reconciliation, new joy in forgiveness received, more love for the Merciful One, and an ever deeper entering into the knowledge of God his Savior.

Moreover he who as a Christian man imitates Simon the Pharisee, and esteems himself to be can not bear that one addressed by Jesus. There

who

is a "Sinner" the exalted sense of one's own saintliness, which has no place for the compassion shown the prodigal who returns.

just, is

But when by

we

a'

is

deeper knowledge of our

we

own

sin

ourselves are small, and we refresh ourselves each day with a new draught from the cup of reconciliation, there will awaken in our hearts something of the joy of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth, which is greater than the joy over the ninety and nine who have no need of repentance. For this is the Gospel of feel that

Chri.st.

269

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