Christians and Forgiveness
I've noticed that Christians who have atheists or people of other
religions as friends have been coming under attack lately. While
I know that many of my Atheist friends think that I'm insane for
believing in an "invisible man in the sky," I could just as easily
consider them fools for being so arrogant as to believe that
science has all the answers when science clearly does not have all
the answers for the human condition. They may mock me for
believing in material written by "ancient goat herders" and scorn
me because I know the bible wasn't completed during the life and
time of Christ and/or most of his Apostles, yet they fail to see that
science is, in itself, imperfect. After all, science once said that the
earth was flat and new theories are continually being developed
which replace old theories that they found to be flawed when they
find something explainable by the old theories. Still, I hang onto
these friends because I love them dearly and would like that
friendship to be eternal even though they believe that once you're
in the grave, that's it. Yes, that may be selfish of me, but I guess
I'm sort of a Stan Smith from American Dad, though I don't go
trying to destroy their lives to make them so miserable that the
only choice they have is to turn to God. That didn't work out so
well for Stan if you know the episode to which I am referring.
religions as friends have been coming under attack lately. While
I know that many of my Atheist friends think that I'm insane for
believing in an "invisible man in the sky," I could just as easily
consider them fools for being so arrogant as to believe that
science has all the answers when science clearly does not have all
the answers for the human condition. They may mock me for
believing in material written by "ancient goat herders" and scorn
me because I know the bible wasn't completed during the life and
time of Christ and/or most of his Apostles, yet they fail to see that
science is, in itself, imperfect. After all, science once said that the
earth was flat and new theories are continually being developed
which replace old theories that they found to be flawed when they
find something explainable by the old theories. Still, I hang onto
these friends because I love them dearly and would like that
friendship to be eternal even though they believe that once you're
in the grave, that's it. Yes, that may be selfish of me, but I guess
I'm sort of a Stan Smith from American Dad, though I don't go
trying to destroy their lives to make them so miserable that the
only choice they have is to turn to God. That didn't work out so
well for Stan if you know the episode to which I am referring.
I don't really hold much hope for any of them to change their
positions since they have their heels dug into their beliefs as
firmly as the Christian Right has their heels dug into the belief
of spreading the love of God by bombing the tar out of those who
believe differently than they do; however, I do hope that they can
see that I'm sincere in my beliefs and will perhaps one day at least
understand that I do appreciate them and at least understand
where I'm coming from.
positions since they have their heels dug into their beliefs as
firmly as the Christian Right has their heels dug into the belief
of spreading the love of God by bombing the tar out of those who
believe differently than they do; however, I do hope that they can
see that I'm sincere in my beliefs and will perhaps one day at least
understand that I do appreciate them and at least understand
where I'm coming from.
Some of them are straight, some are gay, and some are somewhere
in between. Some are rich, some are poor, and some of them have
serious illnesses. Still, I look at them as I believe that Jesus looked
upon the "sinners" he encountered. I may hate the sin but I love the
sinner... something which my fundamentalist past didn't really teach
me. Sure, they may spout the words, but most fundamentalists seem
to hate the sinner if they don't immediately accept Jesus into their
hearts after they quoted them the "Roman Road" a few times. As for
my friends of other religions, I try to respect their views even though
I may not agree with them on some of their points and practices.
in between. Some are rich, some are poor, and some of them have
serious illnesses. Still, I look at them as I believe that Jesus looked
upon the "sinners" he encountered. I may hate the sin but I love the
sinner... something which my fundamentalist past didn't really teach
me. Sure, they may spout the words, but most fundamentalists seem
to hate the sinner if they don't immediately accept Jesus into their
hearts after they quoted them the "Roman Road" a few times. As for
my friends of other religions, I try to respect their views even though
I may not agree with them on some of their points and practices.
Now, there are some people who are deliberately evil and try to
deceive others on a regular basis. Their whole purpose in life is
to try to make life miserable for others. For them, there is little I
can do but "shake the dust from my feet" and say a prayer
that they might learn somewhere down the road.
deceive others on a regular basis. Their whole purpose in life is
to try to make life miserable for others. For them, there is little I
can do but "shake the dust from my feet" and say a prayer
that they might learn somewhere down the road.
Matthew 10:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to
your words, leave that home or town and shake the
dust off your feet.
your words, leave that home or town and shake the
dust off your feet.
I do stand up for my friends of other beliefs if I feel they are correct
on a point. Most religions, after all, have the same basic message of
trying to teach others to be kind toward others. It's generally the
distortion by those greedy for power who twist the original meaning
of the religion's figurehead or founder that cause atrocities such as
war, torture, burning people at the stake, and beheading them. That
universal truth is generally along the lines of the following verse.
1 John 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because
God is love.
God is love.
Another relatively universal truth is along the lines of this verse.
Mark 12:30-31
New International Version (NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second
is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]
There is no commandment greater than these.”
and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second
is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Footnotes:
For those of us who truly follow Jesus, we have been given a new
commandment.
commandment.
John 13:34-35
New International Version (NIV)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.”
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.”
Sometimes this commandment is the hardest for us to keep if we
are prone to hold grudges. After all, are we expected to love those
who have hurt us or deeply offended us? In short, yes.
are prone to hold grudges. After all, are we expected to love those
who have hurt us or deeply offended us? In short, yes.
Matthew 5:43-48
New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your
neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell
you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, 45 that you may be children of
your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain
on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you
love those who love you, what reward will you
get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what
are you doing more than others? Do not even
pagans do that? 48 Be perfect,therefore,
as your heavenly Father is perfect.
neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell
you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, 45 that you may be children of
your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain
on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you
love those who love you, what reward will you
get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what
are you doing more than others? Do not even
pagans do that? 48 Be perfect,therefore,
as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Footnotes:
Yes, as Christians, we are to love even those who have offended us
so badly that we consider them to be sworn enemies. That's not so
easy to do... especially when you would love nothing more than to
grab them by the throat and strangle them. It may take some time
to get to that point, but as you mature in Christ, you can learn to
do just that. It takes a lot of self-control and sacrifice, especially
if the deed they did to you was the most painful thing you have
ever experienced in your life. Even if that act was so unthinkable
in your mind that you can't fathom how they could have done such
a thing to you. Jesus gave us an example.
so badly that we consider them to be sworn enemies. That's not so
easy to do... especially when you would love nothing more than to
grab them by the throat and strangle them. It may take some time
to get to that point, but as you mature in Christ, you can learn to
do just that. It takes a lot of self-control and sacrifice, especially
if the deed they did to you was the most painful thing you have
ever experienced in your life. Even if that act was so unthinkable
in your mind that you can't fathom how they could have done such
a thing to you. Jesus gave us an example.
As Jesus hung on the cross after being mercilessly beaten and
having thorns thrust into his head, he said something of great
importance.
having thorns thrust into his head, he said something of great
importance.
Luke 23:34
New International Version (NIV)
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they
divided up his clothes by casting lots.
do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they
divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Footnotes:
Even after all that was done to him even though he was innocent
of the charges against him, he found it in his heart to forgive those
who had wronged him so and put him to his death. Having a spouse
who cheated on you even with a relative or supposedly best friend
is nothing compared to what was done to the Son of God/Son of
Man, yet he saw fit to forgive them for sending him to his tortuous
death. Just as he did, we have to find it in our hearts to forgive
those who wronged us, no matter how difficult it may seem without
expectation of an apology. After all, Jesus not only didn't receive an
apology, rather a guard shoved a spear into his side?
of the charges against him, he found it in his heart to forgive those
who had wronged him so and put him to his death. Having a spouse
who cheated on you even with a relative or supposedly best friend
is nothing compared to what was done to the Son of God/Son of
Man, yet he saw fit to forgive them for sending him to his tortuous
death. Just as he did, we have to find it in our hearts to forgive
those who wronged us, no matter how difficult it may seem without
expectation of an apology. After all, Jesus not only didn't receive an
apology, rather a guard shoved a spear into his side?
John 19:34
New International Version (NIV)
34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’
side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of
blood and water.
side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of
blood and water.
What was done to us may have been as piercing as a sword in
the side to you, yet we are called to forgive those who wronged
us just as Christ forgave those who wronged him. It's a tall order,
but we can do it.
Philippians 4:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 I can do all this through him who gives me
strength.
strength.
Love, Hope, Peace, & Christ Be With You,
Cal-el
Cal, I always love how you can deliver your ideas, as well as the Word of God so easily in language so many understand. Very well done here.
ReplyDeleteRev. Laura
Thanks, Rev. Laura.
ReplyDelete