The Bible Is Full Of The Sins And Failures Of Saints

Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

At some point in every Christian's life we all need to painfully learn that we cannot live the Christian life, because we are hopeless sinners in need of God's grace and help. The key to living the Christian life is NOT to do it, let Jesus Christ live through you. ...

Galatians 2:20-21, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

The Bible teaches in our text passage from Romans 15:4 that the Old Testament was written FOR OUR LEARNING, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. My ministry friend Dave Hyles wrote these edifying words:

One of the remarkable aspects of the Bible is its unflinching honesty about the people within its pages. It presents them with all their flaws, failures, and frailties. Scripture reveals the full scope of its characters' humanity — their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and failures.
The Bible doesn't shy away from revealing the shortcomings of its most revered figures. We see David, a man after God's own heart, committing adultery and orchestrating a murder. We witness Moses, the great leader of Israel, struggling with anger and doubt. Even the apostle Peter is depicted denying Christ in a moment of fear. These accounts are not designed to diminish these individuals but to highlight something far more significant—the relentless grace of God.

Against the backdrop of human sinfulness and failure, God's grace shines brightly. In these moments of weakness, God's power is made perfect. The Bible's honesty about human imperfection reminds us that God's work is not dependent on our strength, wisdom, or righteousness. Instead, it is the delight of the Spirit of God to work upon the platform of human impossibilities.

When we recognize our limitations and failures, we open ourselves to God's grace's transformative work. The stories of the Bible encourage us to embrace our weaknesses, not with despair but with hope. For it is in our inadequacies that the power of God is most clearly displayed. The heroes of the Bible are not glorified because of their perfection; they are celebrated because, despite their flaws, they allowed God to work through them.

In this way, the Bible teaches us that true greatness is not found in human achievement but in the grace of God that triumphs over human failure. As we reflect on the lives of those who have gone before us, let us be encouraged that the same grace that worked in them is available to us today, ready to turn our impossibilities into platforms for God's glory. 

SOURCE: Fallen In Grace

Amen and amen! No Christian has arrived. At best we are all struggling woeful sinners. You may have been able to live above reproach all your life, but NO ONE has ever lived above sinning. YOU ARE A SINNER, AND SO AM I! Don't judge others because they sin differently than you do. 1st Timothy 5:24, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” You may have been able to hide your sins thus far, but in eternity all sins will be revealed. The point is clear: WE HAVE SINNED! So, please don't point fingers to condemn others who have sinned, because SO HAVE YOU.

God authored the inspired Holy Bible to share with us the lives of saints before, during and after their time on earth. The Lord gave us this gift to teach us, to give us comfort and patience with our earthly burdens, frustrations, struggles and sorrows. So, we can all echo the promise of God in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”