Washing your hands doesn't make them clean

One of the biggest things that I have always put a lot of focus on is admitting my mistakes. I will always take full responsibility for the decisions that I make. Whether they're good, bad, ugly or in-between.

I recognize that I am nowhere near perfect, I sin, and I make mistakes all of the time. Sometimes it might be hard for you to admit a mistake because you know it might have hurt someone, but when you admit that you were wrong, you free of a lot of the guilt that you were feeling. You also make things right with the person that you might have done wrong too.

It might not seem like it, but people will be more appreciative when you make a mistake and admit to it rather than you making a mistake and just letting it slide. I challenge you to admit that you made a mistake next time you are wrong about something...which will probably be today.

When Pilate was the one who ultimately made the decision to have Jesus crucified, he washed his hands, because he thought that would clean him for his sins.

"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's
 blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" (Matthew 27:21-24)

Pilate recognized that Jesus had done nothing wrong, but insisted that the people make the decision. He was more worried about a riot and losing his power than making the decision that he knew was right in his head. Pilate thought that washing his hands would clean him of the decision that he made, but that was not the case.

In making no decision, Pilate made the decision to let the crowds crucify Jesus. Although he washed his hands, the guilt remained. Washing your hands of a tough situation doesn't cancel your guilt. It merely gives you a false sense of peace.

We can't ever make excuses - we must take responsibility for the decisions we make.

Next time you are wrong about something, just admit it. That's pleasing to God.