day no. 16,176: we are not saved because we think that we deserve it, but because we know that we don’t

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Our best attempts cannot escape our worst qualities.

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Our best must be abandoned and our worst brought to Jesus in order to be saved.

Romans 9:30-32

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

Righteousness is imputed to those who do not have it, not earned by those who think they already do.

Romans 10:2-3

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

We are not saved because we think that we deserve it, but because we know that we don’t. We are not saved when we think that we deserve it, but when we know that we don’t.

The Lord saves sinners.

That is to say, He saves those who know that they need saving. He saves those that agree with Him about who they are and what they ought to have been. He saves those who openly confess their sin and just as openly confess Him as their only hope.

The Lord saves sinners.

You already are a sinner by nature and by choice. The question isn't if you are a sinner, but are you saved one? To be saved is to say that you are a sinner and expect to be saved by Him because He isn't. To err is human, but to forgive is divine.