Christian Living Today

One of the greatest blessings, and likewise one of the greatest trials we endure during our sojourn on earth is the presence of other people. While one might expect the church to be full of godly, friendly, loving people, we often find it is just the opposite. In fact, when one looks at the divisions and factions which have plagued and continue to plague the church, we ought to feel great sorrow and shame.

After all, the delineating mark of a Christian is love. Love for God. Love for one another. Love for our enemies. If love is the most essential factor in the spiritual life, why is it we see so little of it displayed within our church walls? If love is the greatest commodity Christians possess, why do we treat it so lightly?

We do so to our shame and to the church’s detriment. Jesus told his disciples their single greatest testimony to the world would be their love (Jn 13:34-35). Yet our love is too often conditional. We love others if they are lovely. We love others if they agree with us. We love others if we ‘like’ them. We love others if they treat us well.

We act just like the world. We treat love as an emotional response to the positive aspects in another person. This is not the love of which Christ spoke. Christian love is a love of choice. A love which cares for another in spite of who they are or what they do.

Furthermore, we should constantly seek to purge from our thoughts and memories negative thoughts, actions, and deeds related to the failings of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is part of our joy. For real joy is found in a love which covers a multitude of sins.

Right relationships are based on not only a proper love, but right relationships impact our joy as well. Take Paul’s words to the Phillippians in chapter 1 verse 3. He says he thanks his God in “all his remembrances” of them.

Surely there were things which had occurred, small events which had transpired, passing comments which had been said, which were less than praise-worthy, less than Christ-like, less than kind. However, Paul chooses to focus on the positives, the best in them. And, this ability to cast off the negative and cling to the positive brought him great joy.

Cultivating the ability to recall the best in people, to capture the sweet memories, to savor the thoughts of another’s goodness, kindness, and love while forgetting all the rest - this is key to real joy. Focusing on another’s failures, personal hurts, unkindnesses, and injustices will lead to sorrow and, more importantly, will impact the body of Christ in a very un-Christlike manner.

Remember, bitterness and unforgiveness are the marks of an unbeliever. How many times are we to forgive? How many times have you forgiven? How many times have you been forgiven? More than 70 x 7?

As Thomas Hardy put it, “Some people can find the manure pile in any meadow.”

May God grant us the ability, the desire, and the commitment to forgive and forget. May we look different from the world because we love differently. May we enjoy true joy because we forgive and forget. May we look for the good and discard the bad in others - just as we would wish they would do for us!

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. A dream of peace and unity. While on this earth we know this dream will never fully come true, the dream is still valid. It is still a valid goal. To paraphrase Scripture: as much as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.

One of the greatest hindrances to peace is our quickness to take offense and our slowness to forgive. This is an age-old problem. It stems from our pride, and, like all pride, it ultimately leads to our downfall. However, the real issue is our lack of self-understanding.

Do you remember the story Jesus taught about forgiveness in Matthew 18: 21 - 30? Here is a shortened version:

“. . .the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. . .one was brought to him who owed 10,000 talents [10,000 years’ wages]. . .he was not able to pay. . .[however] his master. . . .was moved with compassion. . .[and] forgave him. . .[later] that servant found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii [100 days’ wages]; and he laid hands on him [and demanded]. . . ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant. . .begged him. . . ‘Have patience with me. . .’And he would not. . .”

What a story. I suspect your response is like mine. It makes you want to strangle that unforgiving servant. After all, how could he not forgive after he had been forgiven so much? Have you ever thought, however, God must feel exactly that same way about us, sometimes?

How ridiculous it is when we fail to forgive the most grievous sin against us. When we realize how much we have been forgiven, we realize how much we ought to forgive. It truly is all a matter of perspective. How ‘me’ centered we tend to be!

Forgiveness is not easy. Our pride screams against it. The offense is too much! They do not deserve it! They aren’t even sorry!

Forgiveness does not depend on them. It depends on us. While there are some sins which, even though forgiven, will place a restraint on a relationship - may even end a relationship - that is still no reason not to forgive. But, then, if a relationship does not return to its original condition, how can I know I have really forgiven that person?

Our story above can help clarify the point. If the story had a different ending - in other words, if the king’s servant had not been so greedy - we can speculate fairly accurately on the king’s future relationship with this servant.

Do you really think the king, once he had forgiven his servant the 10,000 talents owed, would have lent the man more money? Of course not. On the other hand, he did not continue to hold the failure to repay over the man’s head, either. In other words, the king no longer looked at the man and saw the money he owed. He no longer thought about the money owed. He no longer kept record of the money owed. He no longer talked about the money owed. In other words, the money owed NO LONGER existed. However, the lesson learned (by the king), directed his future dealings with this servant. To put it another way, they could be ‘friends’ but would never again be ‘business’ partners.

If we get a grasp on our own sinfulness, on the cost Christ paid to deliver us from the punishment we justly deserved, on the mercy which we have been shown - we MUST forgive! God, grant us the eyes to see who we really are that we might be ready and willing to forgive because You have forgiven us so much more!

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight — ” (Psalm 51:3-4 NKJV)

One thing which sets Christianity apart from all other religions is the full and complete forgiveness it offers. Since all men, regardless of how they may deny the fact, have a conscience, we all know our need for forgiveness - at least in those quiet moments when our conscience can be heard.

For Christians, however, forgiveness is at the heart of our lives. It is the foundation upon which we stand. It is the strength which empowers us to walk today. It is the hope which lights our future.

Scripture is riddled with examples of men and women who sinned. Its pages are covered with sinful acts and undeserved forgiveness. David, who penned the words above. Peter, whose slide into sin we looked at in an earlier post. When we look closely at their lives (and our own), we see forgiveness as a miracle of grace.

As Peter’s fall clearly delineated sin’s subtleness in the human heart, Peter’s forgiveness plainly reveals our Lord’s incredible kindness, mercy and grace. From Peter’s restoration we learn:

Christ’s gentleness to a repentant sinner

The look of a repentant sinner

The call of a repentant sinner

One of the most amazing aspects of Peter’s restoration is our Lord’s response. Here is a man who had turned from his best friend in his time of need. Not only had he failed to stand beside his Lord, he had denied his God.

How many of us, in similar situations would even consider forgiveness? Yet, we find Jesus not only welcoming Peter back into fellowship, but seeking him out. Scripture says the first two people to see our Resurrected Lord are the one who loved him most selflessly (Mary Magdalene) and the one who denied Him the most vehemently (Peter).

Both Luke and 1^st Corinthians tells us Jesus appeared to Peter. However, we have no record of their conversation. This so clearly shows our Lord’s gentleness. While Peter had denied Christ publically, Jesus did not rebuke Peter in like manner. Instead He comes to Peter privately.

How opposite are we? We want to know the details of another’s sin - even if it does not have anything to do with us. We want to see them get what we think they deserve. We want everyone to know when another sins against us. We want to show them for the awful person they are. How far we are from following our Lord’s example.

Our next glimpse of Peter and his Lord confirm Peter’s previous forgiveness and show us clearly the right actions of a repentant heart. In John 21 we read:

“. . .[when] that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”. . .[Peter] plunged into the sea.”

Peter rushed to his Savior’s side. Note the dramatic change in direction. Last time Peter was rushing from His Lord’s side. Now, however, the boat will not bring him to Jesus fast enough!

Finally, we see a repentant sinner’s calling. While we are not privy to the first conversation between Jesus and Peter after Jesus’ resurrection, we have a detailed account of Peter’s commission. Why? Because Peter’s commission applies to all repentant sinners.

We have a job to do. We are to serve our Lord wherever He has placed us. Are you a truck driver? Serve your Lord. Are you a doctor? Serve your Lord. Are you a waitress? Serve your Lord. Are you a housewife, a mill worker, a receptionist, a veterinarian, a single mother or father working two jobs and raising your children? Serve your Lord.

What amazing grace! Jesus not only forgives sinners, He gives them jobs in His kingdom. What trust this displays. What mercy He shows. No longer are we outcasts - we are co-partners with Christ in the building of His kingdom.

“Gracious Father, give me a tender heart which turns quickly to you in repentance. Show me mercy, dear Lord, when I sin. May your boundless grace return me quickly to Your side. May I seek and find a clean heart, a renewed and steadfast spirit, and a reinstated joy in my union with You.”