Failure and Forgiveness

By Clayton Adams Failure — “The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends: one who fails.”

Failure is part of everyday life. Often, I fail to live up to expectations others have of me and I fail to live up to expectations I have for myself.

The apostle Paul wrote of this struggle within himself; “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good… Oh wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:19-21, 24) What Paul wrote is exactly what is going on with me. Maybe you? When I read of Paul’s struggle it helps me deal with my struggles and my failures.

Failures should not be a surprise in our human experience. Failure has been with us since the beginning. Adam and Eve failed to obey God’s command (Genesis 2) and since then, every human has failed.

The only One not to fail is Jesus. Studying His life, reading His words and following His examples gives us the ability to correctly deal with the failures in our lives so that we can live happier, healthier and successful lives.

To be sure there are consequences to our failure.

Some consequences are minor, many are major and have life changing, sad and costly impacts on ourselves as well as others.

Simultaneously, there are benefits to our failures. We can learn from our failures, although this learning process if painful, we never forget the lessons failure teaches.

In the accounting of the woman found in adultery (John 8:2-11), the words of Jesus hold the key to deal with failure of others in our lives. Jesus made one statement to the angry crowd who brought the woman to Him. Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (verse 7). Quickly, the accusers left Jesus and the woman. To the woman standing alone, Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (verse 11). To put Jesus’ words in context of this article, Go. Fail no more. There comes a time when one must choose to stop failing (sinning).

Failure is sometimes repetitive. We keep repeating the same failures.

Jesus knows that we are creatures of habit, subject to repeating our failures.

Jesus teaches His followers how to deal with those who continue to fail. Peter, perhaps the most outspoken apostle, asked Jesus, “… how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).

Jesus’ response takes His followers by surprise; “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (18:22).

Again, Jesus tells His followers how to handle failure in others — forgive them. This doesn’t mean there are not consequences, for sure there are consequences. Most important, forgiveness isn’t exclusively for the person who has failed, it is also for the one who forgives!

The failure of others often keeps us from living a happy, healthy and successful life because we hold grudges against those who failed us. What must we do? Jesus said to forgive those who have failed (those who did you wrong). If you do not forgive those who failed you, you will live with their failure for the rest of your life. The failures of others become your burden.

Unless we forgive others, the failures of others easily “entangle” us and causes us to stumble and fall (Hebrews 12:1). Not forgiving someone takes away your health, happiness and success.

Finally, when we fail, we should take refuge in Jesus, our tower of strength and protection, He is full of grace, mercy and forgiveness. Again, the apostle Paul wrote; “where sin abounds, grace does much more abound” (Romans 5:20).

I think about this verse often. I am thankful God’s grace is greater than my sin. God’s grace is greater than your sin! God’s grace, which He gives to us in abundance is greater than the failures of others in our lives!

Perhaps one of the greatest failures in my life is failing to forgive others.

Oh sure, I say I forgive them, act like I forgave them but when their name comes into my ears, I find myself dwelling on what they did to me, what they said to me — that isn’t forgiveness. Not forgiving others becomes my failure. Now we partially understand why Paul said, “Oh wretched man that I am!

Who will set me free from the body of this death?”

(Romans 7:24).

To be human is to fail.

Forgiving others who have failed you is being Christlike. When I fail, which is often, I ask Jesus to forgive me. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us of all our failures (1 John 1:9). In turn, we must forgive those who fail us.

Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your failures? Is there someone you need to forgive for their failures?

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@ gmail.com.