Let’s now face a painful but helpful truth: the boldness of grace cannot come from our natural selves. I am naturally (that is, in my sinful nature inherited from my first parents) self contained and self-praising. I tend to seek assurance of my righteousness by comparing myself with others — judging them as sinners and myself as more or less sin-free (Luke 18:9-14). Following the example of a friend, I must identify myself this way: "My name is Jack Miller, and I am a recovering Pharisee.”.....