Most of the free world has followed the saga of Joe Paterno in recent months. The man that was beloved by an entire state (as well as thousands of alumni and fans) found himself mired in a child abuse scandal, fired from the job he knew for years, diagnosed with cancer (apparently months earlier) and deceased from complications related to his cancer treatment. It has been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least.
The question that seems to be going around the social and news circles as of late is one of great interest to all of us.
Does a single mistake erase a lifetime of good works?
I would like to answer that question. I will attempt to not be controversial.
Yes.
(Now before you begin to argue with me, just read to the end. I encourage you to continue your reading because I am not the judgmental person that you are now accusing me of being.)
None of us are good. The idea of comparing anyone’s “good works” to their bad is an erroneous concept. The Bible clearly states that we are all sinful people, prone to succumbing to our wicked desires at a moment’s notice. JoePa, as sweet and grandfatherly as he was, had no problems listening to the devil on his shoulder when it served him best.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross covers sin. As horrific an act as we can imagine, none was more scandalous than the death sentence served up to Emmanuel (God with us) on that fateful day. But, the Bible says that His sacrifice was an atonement for my sin…for your sin…for (swallow hard) JoePa’s sin…for (name your enemy)’s sin. Whatever acts you or I or JoePa have commited, they can be covered by the act of the Lord Jesus on the cross.
You see, it does not matter how many people a person has helped, all it takes is one bad act to tarnish their reputation. Most of us have many more than one bad act, BUT…the real question is…
Does a single perfect sacrifice erase a lifetime of bad acts?
Again I will answer. I make no promise about controversy.
Yes.
I do not know where JoePa stood with the Lord when he expired from this world. He had a lot to answer for here on earth. But I do know that Jesus died for people like him. Jesus died for people like you…like me…
Thank God for that.
