So how do you define mistake? Apparently a mistake from my definition does not match what others say. I define it as a misunderstanding or inaccuracy.
We were at a light today and the sign on the light said left lane must turn left and the right lane goes straight. I was in the right lane and a vehicle was behind me, then it decided to get beside me.
The light turned green. I have an arrow that points forward and they have an arrow that points left. The car in the left lane decided to go straight and almost hit us. I blew my horn, but they were not going to stop until they came within inches. As a Christian I probably should have just let them go, but I was already riled up over something else, and did not. They decide to blow their horn again and now I get mad.
Now I stop and get out of the vehicle in the middle of the street and asked him basically how stupid are you, can’t you read signs and they tell me it is a mistake. The driver tells me to calm down and proceeds to say a few other things, then his wife gets into it. We exchange a few other words and then I get back in the vehicle.
Sorry but that is not a mistake. Blatantly ignoring the signal to turn left is not a mistake. It was a decision that they were not going to follow the requirement to turn left. If it had been hard to understand the directions, then I could have understood it was a mistake.
Even more importantly, what is up with society when they think they can do something wrong, get called out on it and then make it seem like it is the others persons fault. Today people are under the assumption that everything they do should be accepted. If that were the case, then why are there law and regulations.
With all of that said, I am sorry it was one of my most unchristian like interactions with others. I am not saying the person was right, they were wrong, but I should have handled it differently. The Bible tells us not to what I just did
Titus 3:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
Furthermore, how was they way I acted demonstrating Christ’s love? It was not. It was my flesh wanting to be right and confront a person that did wrong. If I were confronted by God for what I did wrong, how do you think that would go? I would hate to think of the outcome. I am glad He has shown us mercy and maybe I should have done the same.
Luke 6:36-37 New International Version (NIV)
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
I pray that if you are like me and put into a situation where someone does something that is wrong, that you will show mercy as God has shown you mercy. I also pray that you will not act the way I did and stop and get out to confront a person. Not because of the safety issues that are involved, but because God has said do not do it. Remember, we are supposed to be a beacon of light and hope, and love our neighbors as ourselves. It is hard even as a Christian to act this way, but seek God to become better. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.