© 2012 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Most of us don’t like to be called scoundrels. We try to present ourselves as upstanding members of society. Scoundrels, on the other hand, do bad things. They lie. They steal. They cheat. They lust. They covet. They even murder!

But you and I don’t do these things, do we? Have you ever shaded the truth a little? Have you ever deceived folks about your true motives? Have you ever wished someone you disliked would die? Have you ever secretly looked at a person with eyes of lust? Have you ever wished something that belonged to someone else belonged to you instead? If so, then, according to God’s standard, you, as I, my friend, are a scoundrel! The Bible calls scoundrels like us “sinners.”

Jesus told a story about two men. One was a self-righteous religious man. The other was an admitted scoundrel – a “publican!” Listen to what Jesus said about them. “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14). On another occasion Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

Are you a scoundrel? If not, read no further. If so, you qualify for salvation! Cry out to Jesus, the Lord, for mercy. Repent. Ask Him to apply His sacrificial blood to your sin account. Jesus lovingly saves scoundrels like you and me when we turn and beg Him for forgiveness!

 

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