If I ask you to think of a well-known Bible story about David and another Bible character, what would first come to mind—David and Goliath (in 1 Samuel 17) OR David and Bathsheba (in 2 Samuel 11)? Which of those events most defines the life of David? If I ask you to think of a well-known Bible story about Peter’s three-fold expression of his feelings toward Jesus, what account would first come to mind—Peter denying Jesus three times (in Luke 22:54-62) OR Peter affirming his love for Jesus three times (in John 21:15-17)? Which of those events most defines the life of Peter?
Sometimes a person’s failures are what we (as humans) remember, but what God focuses on is what the person does after their mistakes! In deep grief (Psa. 51), David said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13), and Peter penitently “went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61).
We all sin. Is that what defines us? Maybe to man, but in God’s eyes, it’s what we do after we sin that matters! Let us focus on that!