A Devotion to Ponder

I enjoy getting daily email devotions from a website called Back to the Bible. One of the devotions I get is by Elisabeth Elliot, whose wisdom, honesty and gentleness I so appreciate. This was today's devotion, and it really made me pause and think.

What's My Score?

I was tempted this morning--no, not merely tempted, I actually did it--to pray, "Lord, I've been disobedient in many things, but I've been obedient in the 'big' things, haven't I, Lord?"

"What would you call loving Me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Is it a little thing?"

"Oh Lord, no."

"And is it a little thing to love your neighbor as yourself?"

"It is a very big thing, Lord--especially when I try to include you-know-who."

"These two things are all I require. Do them and you will have fulfilled all the law."

Silence. So much for my self-righteousness.

"Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Let us always remember that the only righteousness we have is the righteousness that Christ has clothed us in. We have none, absolutely none of our own! And there is no way to accomplish the love that He requires of us, without Him dwelling within us.