In Need of a Savior by Catherine Weiskopf

Growing up as a good girl, obedience ruled my life. I was afraid to whisper in class or be late for school. Even at home I wore the label of a “good girl.” My sister demanded more and yelled louder, while I ate spaghetti that was rotten without complaining, never stayed out too late, never cussed, and only once raised my voice at my mother.

But being a “good girl” carries with it all sorts of problems. It is tempting for us who go around with halos on to not see our sin clearly. The more I saw myself as good, the less I needed a savior.

Fortunately, the more I studied the Bible, and got to know God and his holiness the more I saw the truth about myself. As Jesus said, You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:21-22

Some people need a savior for their outsides first. They need Jesus to help them clean up the messes they have made. Their sin regurgitates over so many people that no pretense is plausible. Others of us look very calm and together on the outside. (I personally suffered from anxiety problems for years and no one except my husband knew because my facial expression never changed even in the middle of a severe anxiety attack.) But I still need a savior for the inside.

I need a savior to clean out the garbage inside.

I need a savior to keep me at peace.

I need a savior to atone for my inside sins that only Jesus knows about.

I need a savior to set me free step by step from every thought that holds me captive.

As it says in Romans 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  How wonderful it is that Jesus is our personal savior: a savior who died for both outside and inside sinners.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Luke 7:44-47