We have all fallen, erred, or committed misdeeds. Whatever words you feel comfortable using, we have sinned against man and ultimately God. But this is not the end for anyone, if you don’t want it to be.

“There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future,” St. Augustine of Hippo. This statement is familiar to many, I hope. I’m uncertain, or at least, I can’t assert that we are born with the capacity for evil. I’m sure many intellectuals, myself excluded from that category, can offer opinions on this concept. I maintain that due to Original Sin, we are born with the capacity for evil, but we are also born to do good since we are made in the image and likeness of God. God would not create us to be evil. Evil is a consequence of our own decisions, errors in judgment, or the improper use of freedom. We can change our evil ways, ask forgiveness, repent, and live a life guided by Christian principles and ethics.

Sometimes the only place we can go is to our knees and pray.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear the voice behind you saying, this is the way; walk in it,” Isaiah 30:21. (NIV)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” Thessalonians 5:16-17. (NIV)

We have all sinned, from clergy to the youngest child. Some of us should know better, as clergy should. Others need to be taught the difference between right and wrong, as children do. As for the rest of us, well, as Pope Francis said, “Who am I to judge?” Look, we have all done things that made us feel bad. We knew what we were about to do was wrong, but we chose to do it anyway. We recognized it went against what God desires of us. Perhaps we can attribute it to a lapse in judgment. I believe many of our sins result from lapses in judgment. For those who do not believe in God, there are still moral codes and civil laws that are to be followed. 

Are you aware that gossiping is a sin? Numerous Bible verses address gossiping, including Ephesians 4:29, 2 Corinthians 12:21, and James 4:11; the list goes on. If someone sins, we don’t need to spread the news. It is between the sinner and God, and whoever they may have hurt by their sin. The book of Exodus 23:1 (NIV) says, “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.” As Scripture states, our words should glorify God and not criticize others. We should speak positively about others. Do I need to add Bible verses for these two points, or do you believe me?  I don’t want to sin by telling you a lie in an attempt to deceive you.

Living at the foot of the cross is not easy for any of us. No, I am not there, but I strive to be a good husband, brother, dad, and friend. I fail. I fall. Yet, I am repentant. What God wants from us is to want Him, to need Him, to ask for His help, and to be thankful for all that He provides to us.

I can ramble on, but I will end with this from Fr. Henri J. M. Nouwen (henrinouwen.org):

This morning, I meditated on God’s eagerness to forgive me, revealed in these words: “As far as the East is from the West, so far does God remove my sin” (Psalms 103:12). In the midst of all my distractions, I was touched by God’s desire to forgive me again and again. If I return to God with a repentant heart after I have sinned, God is always there to embrace me and let me start afresh. “The Lord is full of compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.”

It is hard for me to forgive someone who has really offended me, especially when it happens more than once. I begin to doubt the sincerity of the one who asks forgiveness for a second, third, or fourth time. But God does not keep count. God just waits for our return, without resentment or desire for revenge. God wants us home. “The love of the Lord is everlasting.”

Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit

Alex J Nagem