Mistakes. We all make them. Interestingly, we all react differently to them. Some seem to not even notice or perhaps to not even care—mistakes do not bother them. Others, on the opposite extreme, dwell upon every miniscule mistake they make and torture themselves for their errors—mistakes grab hold of them and trouble them deeply. And, between those two extremes there are a variety of other levels of reactions to personal mistakes. Where do you line up in this?
Perhaps for you it may depend on the type of mistake—whether it is a big one or a small one, one that costs you a lot of money or a little money, one that great multitudes have witnessed or one that no one knows about. Getting into a car accident is usually viewed much differently than burning the biscuits in the oven, but it may just depend on who you are. Mistakes come in all shapes and sizes—how do you normally respond to them?
While many mistakes in life seem to be major at the moment (totaling your new car in a foolish accident or leaving a candle lit that accidentally burns down your house), the reality is that those kinds of mistakes are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. In the big picture, what does a car, a house or even our health matter? There are “mistakes” (or what the Bible calls “sin”) that have eternal consequences!
“The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23)—separation from God in this life (Isa. 59:1-2) and ultimately separation from God for all of eternity (2 Thess. 1:8-9). Amazingly, we all react to sin differently. Some seem to not even notice or perhaps to not even care—sin does not bother them. Others, on the opposite extreme, dwell upon every misstep they make and torture themselves for every slip—sin grabs them and troubles them so deeply they cannot even allow God (in their mind) to forgive them.
How do you normally respond to sin? Is it a big deal or not such a big deal? Does it depend on the “type” or “size” of the sin (if such could be defined)? Are some sins more acceptable or more easily justifiable than others? The fact that every sin (no matter the “size”) was laid upon our Savior on that tree ought to put each one into perspective! In reaction to sin, the Lord tells us, “Cleanse your hands…purify your hearts…Lament and mourn and weep!” (Jas. 4:8-9). “Blessed are those who mourn…” (Matt. 5:4). The gravity of sin ought to cause each one of us to mourn each one we commit. And, at the same time, we must learn to forgive ourselves of those sins which the Lord forgives. Let’s put sin in proper perspective!