For some people that phrase is a simple declaration; for others it’s an imperative with a great big exclamation point at the end! There are people who, for whatever reasons, feel constrained to meander through the maze of daily life looking for the flaws. They read books primarily to find a typographical error or a dangling participle before they can get to the pure enjoyment of reading.
Of course, there are people in our society for whom this critical attitude is part and parcel of their vocation. Umpires are there to call ’em as they see ’em. The state trooper sits on the roadside with a radar detector looking for that person who has a faulty speedometer. Math teachers have red pencils beyond number. There are even some preachers who spend their energies looking for sin [a theological term for a mistake] among their congregants. And don’t forget the politicians who spend 98% of their time, energy, and rhetoric in pointing out the mistakes of the other party’s candidate or legislative initiative in order to look a little better.
Seems like I’m always running into the radar range of these fault finders and name takers. They have a way of making you feel a bit uneasy as well as unworthy. They are not necessarily mean folk nor do they really intend to harm you. And if they catch you red-handed in some little foible, you’ll know what they are thinking. Your attempt at an excuse — “Sorry about that. We all make mistakes” — will fall on ears that don’t connect to any part of the heart.
On his way to death row, Jesus was always in the cross hairs of the religious right wingers and like-minded politicians who were out to get him for blasphemy. Another mistake or two, and we’ve got enough to try him and crucify him like any other criminal. And before Pilate at point blank range he was asked to give up truth itself as any form of defense. To consider Jesus as a manifestation of God’s truth would be the biggest mistake of all! Crucify him! And we did.