file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940102.TXT
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Sunday, January 2, 1993
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          READ:  Psalm 51

                                  HONEST EVANGELISM

                             Cleanse me from my sin ...
                     Then I will teach transgressors Your ways.
                                  --Psalm 51:2, 13

          If  Christians were more honest about their own sinfulness,  they
          would be more effective in reaching nonbelievers for Christ.

          Philip  Yancey told of a prostitute, sick and without  food,  who
          asked an inner-city Christian worker for help.  When he suggested
          that she should go to a church, she replied, "Church!  Why  would
          I go there?  They'd make me feel worse that I already do!"

          We who go to church regularly tend to put on a happy face or look
          pious  on Sunday morning.  This may give the impression  that  we
          never struggle with temptation or fall short of the high standard
          we profess.  No wonder many street people or down-and-outers  who
          visit  church  get the feeling that they are the  only  bad  ones
          there.

          This is not to suggest that we should make public all our  sinful
          thoughts  and  actions.  Rather, the solution to  this  situation
          begins with total honesty about ourselves like that expressed  by
          David  in  Psalm  51.  If we admit to ourselves  our  own  sinful
          tendencies  and recognize our own capacity for evil, we will  not
          convey  a holier-than-thou attitude.  Down-and-out  sinners  will
          sense  this,  and  God  will then be able to  use  us  to  "teach
          transgressors [His] ways" (Ps. 51:13).

          Author:  Herbert Vander Lugt

                                       PRAYER
                   Lord Jesus, help us to be honest about our sin
                     and our need of Your grace.  Help us to be
                      the kind of people who draw others to You

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          To  know the potential for sin in our own heart gives us  a  more
          sympathetic heart for sinners.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Genesis 3-5


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