Mistakes

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 ESV). The following series of advertisements reportedly appeared in a series of newspaper advertisements by the First UMC of Meadville, PA.  Monday: "The Rev. A.J. Jones has one color TV set for sale. Telephone 626-1313 after 7 p.m. and ask for Mrs. Donnelley who lives with him, cheap."  Tuesday: "We regret any embarrassment caused to Rev. Jones by a typographical error in yesterday's paper. The ad should have read: 'The Rev. A.J. Jones has one color TV set for sale, cheap...Telephone 626-1313 and ask for Mrs. Donnelley, who lives with him after 7 p.m.'"  Wednesday: "The Rev. A.J. Jones informs us that he has received several annoying telephone calls because of an incorrect ad in yesterday's paper. It should have read: 'The Rev. A.J. Jones has one color TV set for sale, cheap. Telephone 626-1313 after 7 p.m. and ask for Mrs. Donnelley who loves with him.'"  Thursday: "Please take notice that I, the Rev. A.J. Jones, have no color TV set for sale; I have smashed it. Don't call 626-1313 anymore. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Donnelley. She was, until yesterday, my housekeeper.'"  Friday: "Wanted: a housekeeper. Usual housekeeping duties. Good pay. Love in, Rev. A.J. Jones. Telephone 626-1313.'" Am I ever glad I have never experienced that in my tenure as pastor! Mistakes happen. Sin happens. There is simply no avoiding the fact that at our core we are sinners. However, our sin cannot define us. We are defined by our relationship to Christ who has saved us through His work on the cross and in the resurrection. Tragically I meet with people every week in the ministry who have not come to that understanding. They are still enslaved by their sin. Of course we must learn from our experiences. We cannot continue to do the same things and expect different results. But we are defined by the new life given to us by Christ. We are empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, helping us to see and understand the decisions of life. Today, trust in Him. His death was accomplished to set us free from the sin of life!