Mercy Me

Her name is Marilyn Vos Savant, and the Guiness Book of World Records at one point said that she was the smartest person alive (they no longer have that category in their book). Her I.Q. clocked in somewhere just north of Einstein. So, I dare to disagree with one of her pronouncements? You had better believe that I do!

Not very long ago, someone asked Marilyn this question, "If you had a wish for mankind, what would it be?" The Guiness Guru replied, "Sometimes I simply wish that we would all get what we deserve." Well, why not just ask for a worldwide dose of bubonic plague and call it a day?! As William Shakespeare asked, "Treat each man as he deserves and who should 'scape whipping?"

Even better than Shakespearean question is the comment of an unknown Southern soldier during the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee commanded the Great Army of Northren Virginia. General Lee was also a West Point graduate who survived that strict institution without accumulating a single demerit. Classmates called him "The Marble Man." During the Civil War, a buck private stood before "Massa Robert" for an infraction of the rules.

The General, seeing the man tremble before him, said, "You don't need to be afraid, son. You'll get justice here."

To which Johnny Reb replied, "I know it, General Lee. That's just what I am afraid of."

Let me ask you, dear friend, do you really think that you will make it to heaven someday based on your good works? Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8,9 teach us otherwise! One day you will stand before Jesus Christ, Marble Man Who had no sin (I John 3:5), Who knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21), and Who did no sin (I Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15). He will judge everyone of us by His perfect standard of sinlessness. We all have fallen short of that perfection of righteousness (Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 3:23).

But praise God that, because of the Cross of Calvary, justice has yielded to love, grace, mercy and forgiveness! To those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, His words will be, "You don't need to be afraid, child. You'll get grace here."

Seeking Some "Lee-Way"
Pastor David Blevins