Constant Compliance

“I give up!” he shouted as loudly as he could.

Turning from my computer to the door of my office, I saw a student who had been struggling to live a godly life. He was faithful in reading and studying his Bible, had a solid prayer life and did well in his classes. I was puzzled by his comment.

“What are you giving up?” I asked.

“Well, I was reading Psalm 119:3 and I just give up. That verse is beyond the reach of everyone. I can’t imagine who he is referring to – ‘They do not wrong but follow His ways.’ I do my best to follow His way but I still do wrong from time to time. I must not be a Christian.”

“Why don’t you sit where I am sitting and type this paragraph from this commentary? I need it for a class I’m teaching,” I asked.

He sat and began to type the long paragraph. It was not long before he finished and we went to the “spell checker” to see how well he had done.

“Oops – there’s a mistake,” I said. “O my – there’s another. I wonder,” I asked, “if you made two mistakes does that mean you do not know how to spell?”

“Of course not,” came the reply. “I know how to spell. I just made two small mistakes that I didn’t mean to make. But I can still spell.”

“Well,” I said, “it’s also possible for one who is a Christian to commit an incidental sin from time to time and still be a Christian. Besides, our God will forgive.”

Prayer: Our Father, help us to keep focused on You and to follow Your ways. But if we fail, please forgive us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.