
No one is free from mistakes. Doing wrong is part of being human, because no one is perfect, spotless, and without flaw, except of course Jesus, our Lord.
But what if you have made a great mistake? Some foolish act or fatal error. Perhaps you made a wrong choice, or did something that should never have been done, and now you must bear the consequences. Are you constantly haunted by guilt and living in endless regret?
How does God view our mistakes, and how should we respond to them?
God Does Not Count Our Wrongs
“Blessed is the person whose wrongs the Lord does not count against them. – Romans 4:8
There was a proverb that was popular when I was in school, which said, “Cheat once on an exam, and no one will trust you for life.” This proverb is not merely figurative, but a fact of everyday life. Life is a test. Once you act dishonestly or cheat, people will no longer trust you.
When my father had not yet known the Lord, every time he scolded me, he would bring up every wrong I had ever done. At that time, I felt deeply crushed. It turned out that Father still kept all my bad deeds in mind, including things I thought had long passed or were already settled.
Yet in the Lord I feel safe and at ease. I know I will not be free from mistakes, but God does not count my wrongs against me. Whenever I come and ask His forgiveness, I am sure that God never grows tired of forgiving and erasing my sins. In that way, I can begin again with a clean new page.
Blessed are we, because our Lord is a most gracious God! He is quick to forgive and not fussy with us. So do not keep being haunted by guilt and endless regret, because God has already forgotten your mistakes.
“… and I will remember their sins and lawless acts no more.” – Hebrews 10:17
His Grace Is Greater Than Our Mistakes
You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sins. – Psalm 85:2
Peter may never have forgotten the great wrong he committed: denying Jesus, not just once, but three times (Mark 14:72). Surely he was haunted by guilt, and even suffered because of it. Perhaps he felt useless, a traitor, not much different from Judas Iscariot.
Yes, Jesus had every reason to be disappointed, angry, and resentful toward him. Peter was not worthy to receive the trust of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and to be called “the rock” (Matthew 16:18-19).
Yet Peter’s assumption was wrong. After His resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore of Tiberias (John 21:1-14) and reaffirmed His charge for Peter to shepherd His sheep (John 21:15-19). We see how Peter boldly and tirelessly began the expansion of the Kingdom of God. He preached with power (Acts 2:14-40), and 3,000 souls became followers of Christ that very day.
The grace of God is greater than our mistakes. Our wrongful deeds, no matter how great, cannot nullify His love or cancel His promise of salvation for us. In fact, our mistakes can be turned into glory for God.
Acknowledge your mistakes and repent, and His grace will cover all your wrongs.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson cloth, they shall become like wool. – Isaiah 1:18b
Grace Is Not an Opportunity to Sin
Many people misunderstand grace. They think that because God is Most Loving, Most Forgiving, and Most Gracious, we are free to sin and do wrong, since everything will be erased anyway. Is that true?
Should we go on in sin so that grace may increase? By no means! Have we not died to sin? How then can we still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death? – Romans 6:1b-3
Brothers and sisters, you were indeed called to be free. But do not use that freedom as an opportunity for a life of sin, but serve one another in love. – Galatians 5:13
If you take God’s love lightly and play around with sin, be careful: His grace no longer applies in your life. God cannot be mocked. He knows what is in your heart. If you keep making the same mistake over and over, with no intention to repent, or without trying to change, that is no longer a mistake, but a decision. In other words, you have decided to sin.
Live as free people, and not like those who misuse that freedom to cover up their evils, but live as servants of God. – 1 Peter 2:16
We are people who are free, but not free to commit sin and wrongdoing. We are free because we do not need to fear that God will count all our mistakes against us, or keep recalling our sins the way people do. Let us value His love as best we can, and not waste the salvation we have received through His blood. God bless you! - Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official
Related articles: Bitterness and Deceit: Two Dangers Lurking in the Heart
Inspirational video:About the Author
RELATED ARTICLES

New Life, New Beginning
Everything new is usually appealing, including a new life. That is, when we leave the old behind and step into an experience that is truly new. Speaking of a new life, there is…
Read More
Christmas Day, Time to Reflect on These 3 Things
When I was little, Christmas Day was a special day. Besides receiving many gifts from Sunday school, I was also treated to many attractions such as dramas, Christmas songs...
Read More
3 Heart Attitudes from the Song Everlasting Father
For You are my Father, the everlasting Father. I am sure many of us are familiar with this song, Everlasting Father. Its lyrics lead us to reflect more deeply on God the Father and what He does in this life...
Read More