“All’s well that ends well”

‘Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none!’ William Shakespeare  (‘All’s Well That Ends Well’)

William Shakespeare is among the greatest writers in all the history of literature. His works have been read and performed a huge amount of times. In fact, we all probably remember a time where we had to study at least one of his plays at school.

Some people love his works but others may not appreciate them in the same way. However, most of us would be able to quote some lines from his famous writings, some might even say they have drawn wisdom from them.

In his play, ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’, William Shakespeare wrote a famous line, ‘love all, trust a few, do wrong to none’. As we think about that line it might well cause us to reflect on our lives and our relationships with others.

Yet if we tried to love all, we would fail. We all know that however hard we try, there are those who we naturally get on with better, there are personalities that clash with ours and there are those that have offended us. Loving all is just really a maxim that we can’t attain to. 

If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that the words of William Shakespeare ‘do wrong to none’ are also just as unattainable. The Bible clearly states that ‘all have sinned,’ Romans 3:23. Deep down we all know that this is true. Our actions are often wrong, our words sometimes need retracting and our thoughts, although they are in expressed, often shame us.

Even the apostle Paul, who I consider possibly to be the greatest Christian that ever lived, called himself a ‘wretched man’ declaring  ‘for the good that I would I do not: but the evil that I would not do, that I do,’ Romans 7:19.

Finally, William Shakespeare encouraged us to ‘trust a few’. Sadly, we can often feel let down by those whom we choose to trust. Trusting someone is a wonderful compliment. Trusting God is the key to this life and the door to heaven in the next. It is said about the Lord Jesus said that ‘that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life,’ John 3:15. 

The amazing thing is this, there is one who could say that He did wrong to no one; Jesus Christ, God’s Son. The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate assessed Him and declared ‘I find no fault in this man,’ Luke 23:4. The Bible, which gives us God’s assessment, says about Him – ‘He did no sin,’1st Peter 2:22. But, here is another mind blowing fact, this perfect one (Jesus) does love us all. The Bible states that ‘the Son of God, . . . loved me, and gave Himself for me,’ Galatians 2:20.

So who can we trust?

In the Bible, Christians are said to ‘trust in the living God,’ 1st Timothy 4:10. I can tell you from the experience that there is no better person to trust. When we consider our flaws and failings it is amazing that the God who knows all about us (our sins and failings) still loves us. He sent His Son to die for us and wants us to trust Him. If we do confess (admit) our sins to God (not to a fellow human) he is ‘faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us,’ 1st John 1:9. We need cleansing because sin makes such a mess in our lives. 

How can we be come into the good of this love?

How can we know that we are forgiven?

It is by believing in Him. The Bible states, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved’, Acts 16:31.

Amended and reproduced by permission of Messages with Meaning (26/08/2020)