Many of the choices we have made in our lives have consequences we would rather live without. That which is a mistake is simply the awareness of a choice we would rather not have made –in light of the regrettable outcome. There is no need to project the responsibility of our choices onto anyone or anything but ourselves. Once we are unbound and self-aware, we are free to choose our response with its attendant consequences –both good and bad.
If you become aware of a potential problem, not correcting yourself is a mistake of an order of magnitude that leads to self-delusion, rationalization (which is telling rational lies), justification, and the general acceptance of a state of inadequate weakness. In Galatians 5:1 we find this message "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (NIV)
While we are free to choose our response and actions, we are not exculpated from the natural consequences of those actions. This is an area governed by the Law of Human Nature (or Moral Law…). Here is a vivid example from the natural world: We can react to overwhelming stress in our lives by diving in front of a steaming locomotive train raging down the tracks, but we cannot separate the consequence of that train splattering us apart. Here is another thought: When we can faithfully drive a car down a good road following a great road map, why would we purposefully put a blindfold on while driving and ask for forgiveness when we wreck into a tree (over and over…). Once again, what we need to know is quite simple and intuitive, but not easy. I am grateful God’s mercy knows no bounds.
We say the Serenity Prayer and ask for elevated acceptance of others, relief from being judgmental, and the courage to change. What do we have to gain then from confessing other people’s sins? Though it is a very natural character trait for an addict to project, we are required to resist this impulse as it is useless and destructive. Let us focus our efforts on the things we CAN change, and DO something. We can be more resolute, more diligent, more creative, and more positive.
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