A teenager whose father is abusive said to me, "I want to be a good man like my Sunday school teacher and like you, not like my dad."

I could certainly agree that his Sunday school teacher was a "good man," and I was glad that he also saw me as "good." Like most believers in Christ, I do want to be reverent, grateful, kind, forgiving, pure in my lifestyle, and obedient to God. But I also know the sinfulness of my own heart and how dependent I am on God's goodness and grace.

The Lord spoke of Job as "a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8). Yet after all his trials, Job said, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42:6). He knew what he was apart from God's mercy.

From a human perspective, many people may be described as "good." But God sees the spiritual foolishness, disobedience, blindness, selfishness, and hate that lie deep within all of us. And when He opens our eyes to see ourselves as He does, we understand why a "good man" like Job said he abhorred himself.

Lord, help us to be good yet never lose sight of our inherent sinfulness and our unworthiness of Your favor. Thank You for the forgiveness You offer us in Christ.  — Herbert Vander Lugt