"You can't post that Facebook status with a Bible verse in it, you were out partying last weekend."

"Are you sure you want to lead prayer this week in our study group? I heard you say a cuss word the other day when you dropped your books."

"Is it best for you to represent this group of people? You had that bad attitude one time, what if it comes back?"

"I've done a lot of things that Christians shouldn't do. I feel bad calling myself one."

Has anyone ever felt like this before? Like the mistakes you made in the past interfere with who you want to be as a person and the relationship you want to have with God? Like you can't be the Christian you want to be because you are afraid that people will start looking at you under a microscope?

Being a Christian has its easy parts and difficult parts. It is easy to attend church sessions, it is easy to be part of a Bible study group; it is somewhat easy to read, memorize and analyze God's word. It's easy to volunteer in the community and it's easy to be a friend to someone in need.

It is difficult to find time to spend with God, especially after a long day at work or in class, or even both. It is difficult to pass up the party that everyone is going to when all you want to do is have a good time after constant studying. All it takes is for one person to see you downing a vodka soda and they will doubt everything you have ever said about claiming to be a Christian.

It sure isn't fair that people think this way, but luckily, He forgives.

He forgives us for the things that we didn't realize at the time were bad ideas, and He forgives us for the things that we knew we shouldn't have done when we were doing them.

It's okay to make mistakes as a a Christian, especially in college when many of us are beginning to understand what a real relationship with God entails. We seem to think that we are somehow required to be constantly perfect; anything less gives us fear that people will see us as a hypocrite.

Changing your life takes baby steps, and it is nearly impossible to do overnight. If you make a mistake, it's okay! God will forgive you.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 states, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."

Next time you do something you aren't too proud of, keep that verse in mind. We all make mistakes, but at the end of the day, we don't need the forgiveness or the approval of others.

Because luckily, He forgives, and that will always be more than enough forgiveness that we need.