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Disappointment

People, even the “best” people, make mistakes.

I’ve stopped being surprised when I find out the person I thought had it all together doesn’t.

When “the good girl” gets pregnant…it doesn’t catch me off guard as much anymore.

When I hear about the person in ministry, who falls into repetitive sin, I’m saddened, heartbroken, but not as perplexed as I used to be.

When the “mom” is the guilty one…it stings…I may even be angry for a while…but not overly surprised.

Sin is all around us.

It’s a messed up world we live in these days…and these days have always been. Since the fall of man.

The truth is that good people make bad decisions.

We shouldn’t be too surprised when people behave like…well…people.

That’s not an excuse. I’m not letting people “off the hook”.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t try to make better decisions.

We should. We really, really should.

We should be holy, because God is holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

We should have the mind of Christ. (Philippians 2:5)

I’m not saying there aren’t consequences for our actions.

There are. (Galatians 6:7)

But, I am saying…really remembering…that the only “good” in me (and others) is Christ.

All we like sheep have gone (and go) astray…apart from God’s grace.

The heart is deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9)

Sanctification is a process. (Philippians 2:13)

We need Jesus. We need Him desperately.

People make mistakes.

Even the “best” of people. Even believers.

Even you.

Even me. Especially me.

Are you surprised?

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 11 Comments

  • We get ourselves in trouble when we forget, "We need Jesus. We need Him desperately."

  • katsuiro says:

    Thank you for your message.
    I found out one thing in my life: I was unable to accept my own mistakes and I was very fast to judge others' mistakes. even now.

    but I discovered that when I start to recognize that I am wrong, Jesus is cleaning me deeper. and the more I recognized the more He shows me mistakes. But the more it improves my relationship with Him.

  • joanneviola says:

    It is so true. And no I am not surprised that you make mistakes. I know the depth of the mistakes I make & am so grateful for the grace, mercy & forgiveness of God. Thank you for writing this & sharing it.

  • bryankr
    Twitter:
    says:

    I used to be! I was once the person that held all sorts of people accountable for their actions. I would even go so far as to withhold my friendship and trust because they made mistakes! Then, I discovered I was alone. When you dare to judge others because of their failings, you stand in a place that only God can stand. I did it with anger, self-righteousness, God – with un-ending love and grace. I am not qualified for that. I have discovered grace, though! I'm not alone anymore, either. Grace is pretty cool. It allows me to move forward, to see beyond the mistakes others make. It allows me before the throne of God, spotless, without a single fault!