The heart of man is indeed deceitful:
When we are treated improperly we demand justice; when we act improperly we expect mercy.
We look to Christ’s other brethren for upright conduct; we examine our own hearts and find perversity.
We turn to God, but not for justice, for who then could stand? We look, rather, for comfort and consolation.
When falsely accused, we assert our own innocence and the guilt of our accusers; before the One who knows our hearts we dare not do the same for our own consciences convict us.
When we are mistreated we protest; when we mistreat others we find excuses.
We look to our brethren for high standards; in our own conduct we are indulgent of mediocrity and impropriety.
When we are offended, we become indignant; when we are offensive, we find justifiable cause.
When we are injured, we look for restitution; when we hurt others, we expect to be understood.
Attacked by man, we defend ourselves; convicted before God, we have no defense.
From the past we harvest the sins of others, while passing over our own misdeeds; in the future, what is it that we seek?
Surely we pray for mercy and not justice.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One