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Mistakes, Mistakes, Mistakes Everyone makes them, but nobody likes making mistakes. With preaching, your mistakes tend to be big. I have heard on more than one occasion of a preacher having a wireless mike on and then going to the bathroom. Talk about embarrassment! But other people make them too. Have you heard of the man, while saying a prayer for the fruit of the vine on the Lord’s Supper actually said "fruit of the loom?" Some tend to be comical and others more serious, but most of us can sympathize with those that make them. Last Sunday night Eli came to me and said, "Dad you reversed Balaam and Balak in the lesson." I have always had a problem of keeping those two names straight. What made it worse was, I checked while typing out the lesson to make sure I had it right and I still got it wrong!! As I thought about it, some mistakes came to my mind. None of us are perfect. Mistakes prove to ourselves and those around us that we are not perfect. Imagine how hard we would be to live with if we were perfect. We must be aware of our mistakes before we can correct them. Before I can say I am sorry or Oops I made a mistake, it must be brought to my attention. That may mean somebody pointing out the error of my ways or discovering it myself, but I must become aware of what I did wrong in order to correct it. Mistakes prove to us that others are watching. As Eli was pointing out my error, Glenn came up to tell me the same thing. Eli’s word of encouragement was, "At least you know we are awake during your lessons." I had to admit it, he had a point. It is better to correct the mistake than to continue making it. While I was not happy to learn I made a mistake I was glad when it was pointed out to me. The last thing I want to do is make a mistake and then continue. Therefore, I went back through my outline, the power point presentation, and handouts and made the correction. It made no sense to have argued with them or blame Eli. The only thing I could logically do was admit it then correct the mistake. Interestingly the Bible says these things about our sins. None of us are perfect. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3.10, 23). Some of us may think we are perfect at times, but deep down we all know we have feet of clay. The only man to ever live a sinless life was Jesus, Hebrews 4.15. We must be made aware of our sins before we can repent of them; The Holy Spirit came to reveal the word of God and convict us of our sins, John 16.8. John came preaching repent for the kingdom of God is at hand, Matthew 3.2. At Mars Hill Paul said, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17.30). Before anyone can repent and do the will of God they must hear the Gospel. God sees our sins. It is true that some sins are of the heart and may not be detected by our fellowman, but God knows the thoughts and intent of our heart. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4.12). It is better to repent of ones sin(s) than die in them. Our attitude should be one of thankfulness for the person that will point out our sins. Those that come to us are showing true love and concern for our soul. "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5.19-20). Unfortunately some will either try to cover up their sins, blame others, or get angry for their mistakes. Brethren, if we are wrong we need to make the necessary correction and then go forward. I will not extol the virtues of making mistakes or sin, but they can be corrected if we have the right attitude. D. T. |