I am rereading the books of a celebrated author. His words always speak to me. When I googled him, though, I discovered he’s been going through an ugly, career-ending time, the target of outraged online criticism.
Anyone whose life is public finds that their mistakes and sins are public as well.
But sin is everyone’s story:
You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail. Romans 3:23 The Voice
God is quite aware of who we are. He sees everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds—how he has lived. Jeremiah 17:10 Living Bible
We might approach each other with criticism, but God, who sees our deepest motives, approaches with Grace.
… but wherever sin grew and spread, God’s grace was there in fuller, greater measure. No matter how much sin crept in, there was always more grace. Romans 5:20 The Voice
Grace, love, and a solution:
But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us. As a result, the blood of Jesus has made us right with God now, and certainly we will be rescued by Him from God’s wrath in the future. Romans 5:8-9 The Voice
As a deeply flawed, messy work-in-progress myself, I desperately need the love and grace God gives generously and continually. I am being made right. I am being rescued. So are you.
So is that author. Despite his mistakes, his words still speak to me of God. I am still nourished by them. So I will still read his books.
His sins and failures are not my business. It’s all I can do to deal with my own stuff. And to be grateful that my personal mistakes are not broadcast on the Internet for everyone to see!
After all, who are you to criticize the servant of somebody else, especially when that somebody else is God? It is to his own master that he gives, or fails to give, satisfactory service. And don’t doubt that satisfaction, for God is well able to transform men into servants who are satisfactory. Romans 14:4 J.B. Phillips New Testament
We are all works-in-progress in need of grace,
just like everyone else!