So you Messed Up, It Can Be Fixed.

I John 2:1-6

Before going into the ministry, my dad was a contractor, and worked for several years as a construction supervisor. After entering the ministry, he oversaw the construction of numerous church buildings and parsonages. Most of the time in those later years, he had only volunteer labor, many times people with no experience in construction. He never seemed to have trouble getting people to help, and often they would put in a whole day at their regular job before coming to help him. I have no idea how many people’s first work experience came from volunteering to help Dad as a kid.

Over the years, working in the construction industry, I saw many supervisors who could not keep employees, no matter what they paid. There were several differences I saw that made tremendous difference. I never saw Dad lose his temper at an employee and chew him out like many others do. Dad taught us no one has the right to treat anyone that way because the Bible teaches us to respect all men. He treated them with respect even when they did foolish things. There is nothing more disrespectful than the way some people bawl someone out.

Dad insisted that things be done the best way possible, but he understood that people make mistakes. As he taught us, almost anything can be fixed. Other supervisors developed men who were afraid to do anything until they had been told because they were afraid of what the boss would say if they were wrong. Guys working for Dad learned that honest mistakes were not disastrous, and gained the confidence to do things themselves. They were inspired to try new things, and to do better. If a mistake was made, the reasons why it was wrong were clearly explained so one knew how to avoid repeating it. People who refused to follow instructions were reassigned to jobs where they did less damage.

As I read Johns comments, I realize how much my Dad’s management style was like God’s. He wants things done the best way possible, and has given instructions for us to follow to accomplish that. Should we mess up, however, it is fixable, and thus is not a disaster. He has made provision for some mistakes. His goal is for us to gain confidence in doing following his plan. Notice John’s statements.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (I John 2:1-2)

It is not God’s plan that we sin. He understands our predilection to do so because Jesus Christ “…was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” according to Hebrews 4:15. Because he had no sin of his own, Galatians 1:14 tells us, he “… gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”

When people realized they’d made a mistake, they’d often go to my dad and say, “I messed up.” He’d then help them fix it. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus Christ is there as our advocate to take care of our sin, and Hebrews 4:16 says we should not hesitate to confess it. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” If we tell him what we did wrong, he’ll fix it, and he will do it for anyone.

Because of Dad’s reputation, guys were often hired because they had worked for him, and prospective employers had an idea what to expect. Their attitude, skills, and work ethic were different than those who had worked for others. The time spent affected everything about their work, and it showed at work. How closely we associate with God will show up in how we fulfill what he teaches us.

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (I John 2:3-5)

A person who refuses to confess his sin, and stop, doesn’t know the forgiveness of God. He isn’t one of God’s children. The Holy Spirit will stop those who are God’s children. A person who truly knows and loves God will not deliberately and persistently continue to rebel against him. Jesus said the same thing in John 14:23-24. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

Our obedience is one evidence of our Christianity. As I John 2:6 says, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” Our sin is only a serious problem if we try to hide it rather than letting God take care of it.