Grace, and What to do When We Make Mistakes
I have started this blog over and over, but here we go. As Christians what do we do when we make a mistake or sin? Yes, as a follower of Christ we have been forgiven of all of our sins.
The problem is when our name gets written in the Book of Life you are still on this earth, and you still can sin, and make mistakes. Does this mean we just keep living a life of sin? Romans 6:4 answers this question, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” We as Christians are called to live a life that is perfect and pleasing to the Lord. However, throughout our life, we will continue to mess up and make mistakes. What I want to talk about is what we do when we make mistakes.
Everyone’s Mistakes are Different
It was Hannah Montana who said, “Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days. Everybody knows what—what I’m talkin’ ’bout. Everybody gets that way.” You know what, Hannah was right, we all do make mistakes. However, before we get into what our response is when we make mistakes, I think it is important to remember that temptation hits everyone differently. There are some that suffer more from greed, or from pride. There are some that can be humble with no problem but struggle with lust. The important thing is not to compare ourselves to other people and their struggles. For example, saying things like, “Oh I am in great shape because I don’t get angry like that guy.” Lead us to Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The Bible is pretty clear that instead of worrying about the shortcomings of others, we need to be focused on our struggles, and our relationship with the Lord.
What do You Do When You mess Up?
What is your game plan when you mess up? The way I see it is you have two options. You can feel sorry for yourself and be sad that you made a dumb mistake. However, the latter option is you rest on the fact that God has given us grace. We then pray for forgiveness of that sin and we move on and live for the Lord. The moving-on part can sometimes be the most difficult part of the process, but it should not be, and here is why. God has promised not only the forgiveness of that sin but also that He forgets it.
Isaiah 43:25: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Hebrews 8:12 ESV: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 10:17 ESV: “Then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34 ESV : “And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
These verses make it clear that God has the power of forgiveness, and the power to forget. God has moved on from your sin and wants to continue your relationship. We should not get in the way, but remember that God has given us grace, we should accept His grace and run after Him.
Ok, What Now?
I challenge you that the next time you make a mistake, and sin is do 3 things: 1. Ask God to forgive you of that thing you have done, 2. celebrate in his Grace, and 3. go on living for Him.