There are a lot of things about Christianity that I believe are subtly misunderstood, even sometimes amongst well meaning believers. And that's OK; God's ways are not our ways, so it's understandable that we might not "get it" sometimes. 

But one of those that I really missed for a long time was the idea that the men of great faith must have lived very righteous lives. I didn't know David had his mistress' husband killed to cover his sin. I didn't know Paul murdered the first Christians and was still the chief of sinners years after his conversion. I didn't know Peter struggled accepting Jesus' plans. And I didn't know John was so competitive!

Neither David, Paul, Peter or John had a thing to do with saving me. But misunderstanding them caused me to misunderstand Jesus. I thought having a strong faith would keep me from making mistakes. But honestly, I think my stronger faith might have even made me more prone to them at times. 

I didn't know Jesus was OK with His followers making mistakes. Sure, I knew He forgave all past sins, as long as you didn't make any more. Go and sin no more, right?! 

But I've learned that while Jesus gives you the option and the desire to not make mistakes, He knows we won't always do it. But I've also learned that He already forgave those too, and has been working them together for good from the start.