Relationships are hard work! They are fraught with disappointment, hurt and confusion. Communicating is hard work. Listening is hard work. Understanding others requires emotional savvy that rarely comes naturally. Hurts, anger and frustration are more than just toppings in relationships. Sometimes they are major ingredients.
Jesus had reams to say about forgiveness. Forgiveness is one core, if not THE core component of Jesus’ teaching. One of the last lines that Jesus spoke, dying upon the cross was, “Father, forgive them [those who had demanded and carried out his execution] they do not know what they are doing.”
Forgiveness is difficult because it is counter-intuitive. We tell ourselves lines such as “If I forgive someone, then I am ‘letting them get away’ with the wrong” and “If I forgive, they’ll just hurt me again.” But forgiving someone for a wrong does not mean that the offender gets a pass. Forgiving someone means I won’t make them pay. The law, consequences, and ultimately the judgement of God may make them pay. By forgiving the offender, I am released from being responsible for justice and payback and that transfer responsibility to God.
My forgiving or not forgiving has no bearing on whether someone will re-offend. You and I both have forgiven people, and the offender never hurt us again. We have also NOT forgiven and then the offender hurt us again.
Unforgiveness will make you and me into “mutants.” The hurt we hold on to while not forgiving mutates the inner person of the victim. The mutation continues to multiply and consume until eventually bitterness fills the person. The odd reality about the mutation is the offender may not know they hurt the person, or eventually forgets about the victim, leaving the victim to suffer while the offender goes on with life mutation free!
Forgiving others is an enormous deal. Jesus said, “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15 NLT
Jesus, teach us how to forgive, and give us the strength to forgive and the courage to forgive! Amen.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Careless and Useless Words
As a student and teacher of the ancient writings found in the Bible, there are statements in the writings that frighten me. I’m not referring to the historical accounts found in the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament) about Sodom and Gomorrah or Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt. I’m referring to some of Jesus' words.
Jesus said, “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15 NIV84) The thought that my unforgiveness would prevent my own forgiveness scares me because I have SINS! Or, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NIV84) Jesus is encouraging people to not let the “fear of man” control their lives but instead to let the “fear of God” control them.
The teaching of Jesus that terrifies me is about the things a person says. Most of the people Jesus taught communicated only through speech. We communicate in a variety of ways. In the 21st century his teaching applies to every way that we use words; the spoken word, written word, social media posts, shares, and likes. And about our communication Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. … I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37 NIV84)
The words that come out of my mouth and from the end of my fingertips, come straight out of what is in my heart and I will be JUDGED by those words. That scares me and sometimes terrifies me!
Jesus, I need continual surgery done on my heart so that my words are not “careless” and useless. Help me! Amen
Jesus said, “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15 NIV84) The thought that my unforgiveness would prevent my own forgiveness scares me because I have SINS! Or, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NIV84) Jesus is encouraging people to not let the “fear of man” control their lives but instead to let the “fear of God” control them.
The teaching of Jesus that terrifies me is about the things a person says. Most of the people Jesus taught communicated only through speech. We communicate in a variety of ways. In the 21st century his teaching applies to every way that we use words; the spoken word, written word, social media posts, shares, and likes. And about our communication Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. … I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37 NIV84)
The words that come out of my mouth and from the end of my fingertips, come straight out of what is in my heart and I will be JUDGED by those words. That scares me and sometimes terrifies me!
Jesus, I need continual surgery done on my heart so that my words are not “careless” and useless. Help me! Amen
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Quick To Listen and Slow to Speak
I’ve spent hours listening over the last few weeks. Listening to preachers, politicians, reporters, farmers, athletes, and many others concerning the protests and race issues our country is swimming through. I’ve been looking over my shoulder, both left and right, because I realize I have “blind spots.” I only see what I see, and I only understand what I understand.
By listening, I’ve learned about the “red line,” “Juan Crow Laws,” “In-groups” and “out-groups.” I’ve learned about the difference between bias, racism and discrimination. I am in elementary school about these issues. I’m learning about “espoused theory” and “theory in use.” I’m listening to descriptions of “white girl hair,” and learning that every person is 99.5 percent identical in genetic makeup. I’ve learned that saying “I don’t see color” is divisive, even when said with or from the motive of inclusiveness and love.
Jesus’ brother James wrote: “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19 NLT) Too often when I face trials and struggles, I am quick to speak and too slow to listen. In the struggle our society is facing, I am intentionally closing my mouth, opening my heart and listening intently. I have an incredible amount to learn about the issues we are all facing.
Micah, the prophet who spoke for God 700 years before Jesus said: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)
What is good? What does the Lord require? Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Jesus, teach me. I want to live justly, practice kindness and walk humbly with you.
By listening, I’ve learned about the “red line,” “Juan Crow Laws,” “In-groups” and “out-groups.” I’ve learned about the difference between bias, racism and discrimination. I am in elementary school about these issues. I’m learning about “espoused theory” and “theory in use.” I’m listening to descriptions of “white girl hair,” and learning that every person is 99.5 percent identical in genetic makeup. I’ve learned that saying “I don’t see color” is divisive, even when said with or from the motive of inclusiveness and love.
Jesus’ brother James wrote: “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19 NLT) Too often when I face trials and struggles, I am quick to speak and too slow to listen. In the struggle our society is facing, I am intentionally closing my mouth, opening my heart and listening intently. I have an incredible amount to learn about the issues we are all facing.
Micah, the prophet who spoke for God 700 years before Jesus said: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)
What is good? What does the Lord require? Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Jesus, teach me. I want to live justly, practice kindness and walk humbly with you.
Monday, June 8, 2020
Confessing The Sins of America
I have been considering an example from the Jewish Scriptures, when one of the leaders of God’s people confessed the sins of the Jewish people. Daniel had not participated in the sin, but he was part of the people group or nation that perpetuated it.
As a POW in Babylon, Daniel was reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah. As he read, understanding of their situation and the seventy years they were to spend in Babylon broke his heart. Daniel recorded his actions: “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.” Daniel 9:3 NLT
Daniel had not been part of the sin, rebellion, and disobedience, but he was Jewish, and these were the sins of the Jewish people. Daniel Chapter 9 is the record of Daniel’s repentance and confession of the sins of Israel. Daniel saw it as his responsibility as a member of the Jewish nation to confess the sins of his nation. “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! … We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen … as you see, our faces are covered with shame. … O LORD, we … are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.’”
Daniel 9:4-11 NLT
I am an American and therefore I am responsible for injustice and need to do my part to bring about justice. I have spent time this week confessing the sins of America. As a nation we have oppressed people and continue to oppress people. We are guilty and we are responsible. I’ve been praying that God will have mercy on America and Americans. I have been praying that God would raise up leaders who can show the way through the racial darkness.
God, have mercy on America and move us forward in racial equality. Amen
As a POW in Babylon, Daniel was reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah. As he read, understanding of their situation and the seventy years they were to spend in Babylon broke his heart. Daniel recorded his actions: “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.” Daniel 9:3 NLT
Daniel had not been part of the sin, rebellion, and disobedience, but he was Jewish, and these were the sins of the Jewish people. Daniel Chapter 9 is the record of Daniel’s repentance and confession of the sins of Israel. Daniel saw it as his responsibility as a member of the Jewish nation to confess the sins of his nation. “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! … We have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen … as you see, our faces are covered with shame. … O LORD, we … are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.’”
Daniel 9:4-11 NLT
I am an American and therefore I am responsible for injustice and need to do my part to bring about justice. I have spent time this week confessing the sins of America. As a nation we have oppressed people and continue to oppress people. We are guilty and we are responsible. I’ve been praying that God will have mercy on America and Americans. I have been praying that God would raise up leaders who can show the way through the racial darkness.
God, have mercy on America and move us forward in racial equality. Amen
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