How many of you have ever done anything wrong? How many of you have ever done anything wrong, and knew it was wrong when you did it? How many of you have ever done anything wrong, knew it was wrong when you did it, and did it again?
One of the most difficult things for humans to do is to admit that we have made a mistake. A dentist’s mistake is pulled out, a lawyer’s mistake is imprisoned, a teacher’s mistake is failed, a printer’s mistake is corrected, a pharmacist’s mistake is buried, a postman’s mistake is forwarded, and an electrician’s mistake could be shocking.
Life, like war, is a series of mistakes. And he is not the victor that makes the fewest mistakes, but he is the victor who learns, corrects, and grows from his mistakes. “A mistake is an opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” The mistakes we make embarrass us, especially those mistakes that are caused by our running ahead of the Lord and not seeking His will.
But we need to remember that no mistake is final for the dedicated Christian. God can use even our mistakes to accomplish His purposes. “For we know that God works out all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
By far my biggest mistake as a born again Christian was trying to keep the law and show God how good I was. I later learned that the Bible says, “There is no one good, no not one.” It is generally believed that knowing and following the “do’s and don’ts” makes you a better Christian. However, the Bible says the law empowers and increases sin. Do you believe the Bible?
The Bible says: “…the law gives sin its power. (I Cor. 15:56)
The Bible says: “The law came in so that the transgression (sin) would increase;…” (Rom. 5:20)
The Bible says: “And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s laws. “ (James 2:10)
The Bible says: “But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under His curse…” (Gal 3:10)
The Ten Commandments, which are part of the law, were not given to stop sin. They have no power to stop sin. God gave the commandments to expose sin. Paul tells us in Romans 3:20, “For no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what His law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it.”
By grasping this truth, you will understand one of the greatest misunderstandings/ mistakes in the church today. Jesus was letting us know that no man could keep the law and that everyone needs a savior. The law is used to lead everyone to the only Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus alone satisfied every aspect of the law, and if we are in Him and He is in us, nothing more has to be done but to abide in His completed work. His life in us frees us from the power of sin.
Romans 6:14 reads: “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.” Thank you, Jesus!
LIFE LESSON: “A mistake is an opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”
If your mistake is trying to keep the law and show God how good you are, admit your mistake and let Jesus free you from trying to live the Christian life to trusting the only one who can. Christ in you, the hope of glory!
The new edition of The Galatian Road, A Road Less Traveled is enclosed. Be a mailman for Jesus and deliver them into the hands of people living under the law. Please let us know how many you need.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. You are great partners in Christ.