Biblical Answer

Can I still be a good person even when I've made mistakes?

As Christians, we must first acknowledge that making mistakes is an inevitable part of life. The Bible reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This means that every person, regardless of their intentions or actions, has fallen short of God's perfect standard. However, this does not mean that we are defined by our mistakes. As the Bible says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

The key to being a good person despite making mistakes is to acknowledge our failures, take responsibility for them, and seek forgiveness from God and others. The Bible teaches us that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This means that we can be honest about our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, which allows us to move forward and continue growing as individuals. Furthermore, the Bible reminds us that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). This means that our identity and purpose are not defined by our mistakes, but by our relationship with God and the good works He has prepared for us to do.

Ultimately, being a good person is not about being perfect, but about being faithful to God and striving to do good despite our mistakes. As the Bible says, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). This means that our goodness is not based on our own efforts, but on God's love and forgiveness. When we acknowledge our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and continue to strive to do good, we can be confident that we are being good people, despite our imperfections. As the psalmist says, "The Lord has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14). This means that God is merciful and gracious, and He is able to forgive and redeem us, even in our mistakes.