Is God Disappointed in You?
Where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more. – Romans 5:20
Are you a believer who has really messed up? Are you a Christian who struggles with something you know to be sinful? So, is Jesus disappointed in you? So, how does Jesus see our failures, even the big ones?
The Apostle Paul thought it was important for us to know that, even as an apostle and a church leader, he struggled with sin: “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Rom 7:19).
The Apostle Peter boldly declared that he had left everything for Jesus (Matt 19:27) and that he would die for him (Matt 26:35). Then, at the most crucial moment, he openly denied even knowing Jesus (Matt 26:69-75).
The list of biblical failures is a long one. Abraham, Moses, Samson, and Solomon could not live lives without sin. King David raped a loyal friend’s wife and then had him killed (2 Sam 11), yet the Bible says he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22).
Jesus did not come to save the best of us; He came to save the worst of us. God’s love for the sinner is the storyline of the Bible. This is what Romans 5:20 is about. The Bible speaks of sin so we understand how sinful and helpless we are. This is important so we can see the magnitude of what Jesus did for us. Sin may be big, but the love of Jesus is much, much bigger.
God is not disappointed—that’s a very human way to think about him. God is more like the perfect parent who cares for his children in their weakness. He guides, guards, and teaches with love, patience, and sometimes discipline. His children will always be his children, and he will never leave them.
Maybe you had a parent or some other authority figure (like a church leader) who at some point said, “You really disappoint me!” And that declaration is now firmly rooted in your psyche. That’s not the way your heavenly Father thinks about you when you sin. You are his child, and he will care for you to the end.
It is not our performance or success that determines God's love for us. It’s the performance and success of Jesus. His sacrifice has covered our failures—past, present, and future. For those who are in him, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
The truth of God’s forgiveness and commitment to his children can bring a problem (not for God but for us). My natural response might be, “If God loves me—even in my sin—then my sin doesn’t really matter.” And this, of course, is a sinful way of thinking and was addressed in Romans 6:1-2. Christians should be very sensitive to their sin.
Jesus is for you!
Jesus, you are the one who saves the helpless sinner – like me. Thank you for your caring about my salvation more than I do. I’m sorry for my failings. Please cause me to see your love the way I should. Please cause me to see my sin the way I should.
Song: Thank You