Jerry Bridges in his book called The Gospel for Real Life tells a story about two men who happen to be kneeling side by side at the communion rail of a church in England. One was a former convict who had served time, who was now out of prison. The other was the judge who had sentenced him to prison years before. After the service, the minister asked the judge, did you recognize the man kneeling beside you?
Yes, I did, replied the judge. That was a miracle of grace. You mean that a man you sentenced to prison should be kneeling beside you? No, not at all, said the judge.
The miracle is that I should be kneeling beside him. The judge continued and said, you see, that man knew clearly he was a sinner and in need of a savior. But I was brought up in a religious home and lived a decent and moral life and, and served my community. It is much more difficult for someone such as I to recognize his need for a savior.
I am the miracle of grace, he said. Well, so am I and my testimony is very similar as a former Catholic, to the judges. it was hard for me to recognize that I needed a savior till later on in my life. I invite you if you have your Bibles to turn with me to Luke chapter 18....
