Becoming HIS Tapestry

Christian Lifestyle Blogger

TO ERR IS HUMAN, BUT…

Hey friends, how are you doing today? Warm weather has finally come to our neighborhood, thank You, Lord.  Sunshine has returned and brought warmth with it.  The birds and the squirrels vie for space on the trees, especially on those that are near full blossom.  The squirrels disdainfully glare at the trees that still pretend to be dead.  I think if the trees could talk, they would probably respond with this, “all in good time, chaps, all in good time”.  What’s the weather like in your neck  of the woods.   

A few years ago, I had an epiphany.  It’s not that I did not already know this, the knowledge was not actually new, but for some reason, this time it made sense.  I had reason to remember these words, “ to err is human’.  These words are part of a longer proverb, ‘to err is human; to forgive, divine’ and was penned by Alexander Pope in Essay on Criticism, (too many times, I think, self help books [which is not necessarily a bad thing] makes us forget that the Bible said it first).   

It occurred to me, for the first time really, that these words are usually applied to me, when I make a mistake.  I am quick to point out my imperfection to others.  It is my defense when there is a lapse in judgement.  But what happens when someone else needs to hear that from me?

Some time ago, someone erroneously assumed I had deliberately done something wrong.  Something was wrong, but it was not me and it was not deliberate. Needless to say, I was offended.  I was shocked and disappointed that someone would think that of me.  ‘No one is perfect”, I thought.  “I must be given some leeway to make an error”.  I find it very difficult to forgive, when I feel I am in the right, over the offense. Here I stand in need of grace, while my heart plots the downfall of my accuser.  Such irony! Such audacity! Come closer…, a little closer…, I want to share a secret with you.  Are you ready for this earth-shattering revelation?  NO ONE IS PERFECT, BUT JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!  Did you get that? I now we know that, but sometimes, especially when we’re right; it’s easy to forget. No one is perfect; the includes me and you.  

I love my God.  He is much kinder, more loving, shows more patience and extends more grace than I ever, ever can.  I remember telling my God, my side of things.  But do you know what He was doing, while I whined and complained, He ummm… He reminded me of me! “Not me, Lord! I would never falsely accuse anyone”. Uhhh… really, Brenda? Do you really want to go there? Romans 3:23 tells us ‘we have all fallen short of the glory of God’.  ‘All’ refers to every single person, past, present and future; we all stand in need of forgiveness.  We were born in sin, according to Psalms 51:5 ‘Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me’.  The starting point of salvation  began at the same point for every single Christian.   Now that we are saved, as we draw near to the Lord, He molds and shapes us, so that we put on more of His characteristics; such as humility and forgiveness. Forgiveness must be part of a Christian’s life.  It is impossible to serve the Lord without forgiveness, from the Lord and from and to others. 

Forgiveness becomes easier (not easy, but EASIER) when we:

Don’t put people on pedestals; people will disappoint us; we will disappoint them.  Remember ‘to err is human” Romans 3:23

Acknowledge that because we have been forgiven much, therefore we must be prepared to forgive much Colossians 3:13

Realize that God has commanded, (not suggested) us to forgive Luke 6:37/Matthew 6:13

Understand that forgiveness is necessary in order to live peacefully with each other Romans 12:18

Remember that we usually do the exact same things, sometimes even worse! Matthew 7:4

NO MATTER WHAT THE OFFENSE IS, we must always be ready to forgive if we desire that our Lord forgive us.  I know this is easier said than done, but we are not required to do this in our own strength. We have the Holy Spirit.  Depending on the gravity of the offense, it does take Supernatural strength to help us forgive.  Remember too, forgiveness and trust do not always have to go together.  You forgive me, but I have to earn your trust.  We trust the Lord to help forgive and continue to love.  

Stay close to the Lord, my friends, always, but even closer when life throws its challenges.  Do you find it difficult to forgive? What is the hardest offense (so far), you’ve had to forgive?

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32 responses to “TO ERR IS HUMAN, BUT…”

  1. Hmm. Indeed to Err is human. I had to learn that in a hard way cos I was fond of feeling bad when someone does anything I least expected. And He reminded me that only Himself was infallible but we are fallible and that has helped and still helping me.
    Thanks for sharing ma’am. ❤

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  2. You’re right! Forgiveness is definitely easier said than done. Especially if the offense was done deliberately. But praise God that He forgives us even in our horrible sins that would be considered unpardonable. This gives us the grace and strength to forgive others…even when we don’t want to.

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  6. Excellent post, Brenda! The weather here is a bit all over the place, but I will trust the one who is in control of all kinds of weather. ☺

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  9. I absolutely love the conversation between the squirrels and the trees, haha!!! I can totally see it!
    I appreciate your wisdom on forgiveness!! It’s easy to say I forgive and push my feelings under the rug, but it’s much harder to truly forgive. I need God’s constant grace and help for that!

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    • 😂😂 the squirrels and the trees are on opposing sides, at times 😂 I do understand how sometimes when we push things under the rugs, we think we’ve forgiven, when sometimes in reality we haven’t. It just keeps building up at times. Letting go can sometimes be internal, but we have to ensure that’s what we are actually doing. I’ve been there and sometimes, still go back there

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  10. Thanks for the Good Word on forgiveness. For me, it is sometimes harder to forgive all the little things as I go. They kinda build up. I must have some subconscious tally, because every once in a while the fuse ends. This I must take to God.

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    • I know that, it’s usually the things that I think don’t matter too much, but then as you rightly said, they build up. My prayer has been for the Lord to show me where I need to ummm adjust May the Lord bless you abundantly

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  12. We love because he first loved us. We forgive because we have been forgiven much.
    One note of caution for those who have been harmed through abuse of any kind is that forgiveness does not mean we are unwise and let the person stay in our lives. We give them to God and pray for them but stay away.

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  13. This is soooo good! Thank you for studying the Word on forgiveness and sharing it with us. God bless you richly!

    While we naturally keep tabs of how much others have disappointed or offended us, Jesus does not do the same with us. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus for salvation, God forgives all of our sins.

    What joy fills my heart when I remember Heavenly Father forgives me of my sins.Today, I will reflect on the practice of forgiveness and the place it has in my life. Thanks again my sister and friend for sharing. Always so refreshing to read your devotions. Blessings to you always 🙏

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