The Greatest Mistake

Thomas Edison, the visionary inventor and entrepreneur, transformed the modern world with groundbreaking innovations such as the light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. Yet even minds of extraordinary brilliance are not immune to error.

Edison was a staunch advocate of direct current (DC) for electrical transmission, while his rivals championed alternating current (AC). What followed became known as the infamous War of Currents. In a bid to discredit AC, Edison orchestrated a public campaign, financing demonstrations in which animals were electrocuted to portray AC as dangerously lethal. He even contributed to the development of the electric chair—deliberately powered by AC—to associate it with death.

Despite his efforts, AC proved far more efficient and practical for long-distance power transmission. Edison's refusal to embrace AC and his aggressive tactics ultimately backfired. AC became the global standard, underscoring that even the most brilliant minds can falter in judgment and strategic foresight.

To err is not only human—it is inevitable. Even the greatest among us are prone to mistakes. The severity of a mistake is not measured solely by intent, but by the magnitude of its consequences. The greater the harm it causes, the heavier it weighs in the annals of history.

But what of those mistakes whose consequences outlive us? What is the gravity of errors that stretch beyond the bounds of life?

Across various beliefs and traditions, a shared truth remains: the immortality of the soul. Life transitions after death, and in that afterlife, we are called to stand before our Creator—to give an account for every deed, word, action, and thought.

If we believe this to be false, then morality becomes mere legality. The desire to become better loses its purpose, reduced to forced practices aimed at avoiding punishment or social rejection. Without the certainty of divine accountability, living morally becomes an act devoid of meaning—mere behavior without purpose.

And thus arises the question: How can we, who so easily fall into sin, stand accountable before so righteous a God? Scripture paints a true picture of humanity—flawed in thought, broken in deed, and estranged from divine perfection. God is loving, merciful, and compassionate, yes—but He is also righteous and just, and will not overlook sin.

Yet in the tension between God's grace and justice, the beauty of the Gospel is revealed. In His boundless love, God took on human form in Jesus Christ. He bore the full weight of humanity’s sin upon the cross, suffering the punishment we deserved. Though we were to pay the penalty for our transgressions, Christ in His compassion took that penalty upon Himself.

But the story does not end there. On the third day, He rose—conquering death and offering eternal life. Sin and death were defeated, and justice prevailed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Anyone who repents of their sins and believes in Christ is spared from judgment and eternal separation. All we must do is accept His sacrifice. We are then reconciled to God—not by merit, but by grace.

Dying without accepting Christ is the gravest mistake one can make. Its aftermath is not temporary—it is eternal. It is a separation from God that cannot be undone, a state of irreversible loss.

This life, fleeting as it may be, is the only window through which salvation can be received. It is a sacred opportunity to embrace the gift offered through Jesus—a gift that transforms judgment into mercy, and death into everlasting life.