“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:6.

Do you ever wonder about statements from the Apostle Paul which I will paraphrase here: that when it comes to sinners, he is chief (1 Timothy 1:15); that his righteousness is like filthy rags (garbage) (Philippians 3:4-11); that he doesn’t do the things he should, but does the things he shouldn’t (Romans 7: 15-20(.  I have had discussions with people  who know the Bible well, that say he is referring to his life before Christ.  Sorry, these statements are all written in the present tense. 

I relate to all of Paul’s statements. Some people maybe in denial; may actually believe they don’t sin; maybe are trying to earn their way in – I don’t know.  I desperately need God’s grace, forgiveness and love because I can’t make a day without sinning.  Only one could and did and his name was Jesus.

In reality, as individuals we think we are a certain way and we think we act and behave better than who we are.  We think we are  that person who is so nice, loving, patient  – plug in the fruits of the spirit and say that’s me all the time.  Yeah, right –– that is who we strive to be at least some of the time. God makes it clear who we really are in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can understand it?”.

And in the suffering servant passage from Isaiah 53 quoted above, we are all like sheep who have gone astray. C.S. Lewis said that Christianity is not a religion but a way of life.  He’s right.  And Jesus is the way.   He is the only way.

I am not advocating go on keep on sinning, but if we repent and ask God for forgiveness, He does and will forgive us. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that He knows and understands our weaknesses.  He is not surprised when we stumble and thank goodness by his limitless grace, He always picks us up.   He wants us to be obedient, but above everything He wants us to know Him and to love Him. 

And we should because He said he came to save the lost (Luke 19:10)-what do you call a sheep that has gone astray? Indeed as Paul writes:  “Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy1: 15)

I will make this first person.  I need to get over myself and my faux righteousness.  I need to pray for protection from the enemy.  I need to confess my sins. And I need to try to do better. But I don’t need to deceive myself – I don’t and can’t earn one step towards eternity. 

The good news is this. “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Even though we may go astray, the Good Shepherd will come and find us. He knows our names and loves us with and everlasting love. Lean into Him and praise Him for grace and mercy.