Good morning.
Christian author John Maxwell shared that he was recently in a group conversation where they were each asked, “What is the one most wanted word in our culture.” John shared that he thought the most “wanted” word in the English language was forgiveness.
His reason is the same as mine. I’ve had many times where I’ve found it hard to forgive myself, much less deal with the way others have harmed me.
Every human being (at the core) knows that they are flawed. At times we are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Still, every human being wants to be forgiven.
Bryan Burton (who does the lights at Via Dolorosa) was recently here at church, and he was talking about Christ’s example:
[Jesus said] “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
This is great news that in the middle of being irreparably harmed, the Son of God was crying out, “Father, forgive them!”
But, let’s back up in the Scriptures just a bit. In the Gospel of John 14: 23, Jesus (who knew his end was near) said, “Peace I leave with you.”
The reality is I’ve found that without extending forgiveness, I never get a hold of His peace.
There are so many people in my life (I’ve noticed) who struggle so desperately to find lasting peace.
Christians are no different. The Apostle Paul exhorted the believers in the church at Ephesus by saying:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you (Eph 4:31-32).
The same Paul whose slate was wiped clean by Christ on the Damascus Road, has his eye on reconciled relationships within the church. He says, “People. When you can’t let things go, you will carry negativity everywhere you go.”
I’m reminded of an interaction with Bonnie Smith (founding Pastor of Crossroads Vineyard) outside of our VLI class some years ago.
She said something like,
“I need lots of grace, Seth. If you give grace, then you get grace.”
The key, I think, is to become a more forgiving person. God is into the type of family who is healthy in this way: they are slow to speak, and quick to forgive.
We can ask him to fill us with His love and understanding, or even better: we can just start praying for the person that we have all the problems with.
A prayer that we can all pray together with confidence that God will help us:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the people You’ve placed in my life. Help me to have a loving and forgiving spirit.
I’m excited to be with you this coming Sunday when Joe Giamo and the team will facilitate worship, and then Doug Wicks will share on Someone Like Me, Someone Like You.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Seth
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