I don’t want to be hard on you. But if one of you has made someone feel bad, I am not really the one who has been made to feel bad. Some of you are the ones. Most of you have already pointed out the wrong that person did, and that is punishment enough for what was done.
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair. You should make them sure of your love for them.
I also wrote because I wanted to test you and find out if you would follow my instructions.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Actor George Takei is known by many for his role as Hikaru Sulu, a helmsman on the Starship Enterprise in the long-running television series, “Star Trek”. In recent years, Takei has made cameo appearances on several sitcoms and acted in a few movies. He is better known today for his activist roles promoting gay rights and Japanese-American relations. In 1942, Takei and his family were sent to the Rowher War Relocation Camp in Rowher, Arkansas, for internment. They were later transferred to an internment camp in California, where they remained until the end of World War II. Takei’s family then returned to Los Angeles, where he ultimately graduated from UCLA and received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in theater.
Today, many younger people know George Takei for his front-and-center presence on social media. He makes frequent posts of funny pictures, humorous quotes, and inspirational thoughts. And today was no exception. Many of you may be familiar with the church group in Kansas that frequently shows up to conduct anti-gay protests at military funerals…often bearing signs that say “God Hates F**s" and “Thank God for 9/11”. The church’s leader, Fred Phelps, is on Hospice and apparently doesn’t have long to live.
George Takei is exactly the kind of person who could become a target of this group’s hatred. It would seem plausible that Takei would have plenty of reasons to harbor un-forgiveness in his heart toward this man and his church. But here’s what Takei had to say today on Facebook:
"I take no solace or joy in this man's passing. We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding "God Hates Freds" signs, tempting as it may be.This is exactly what Paul is talking about in his message to the Corinthians. We need look no further than Jesus Christ as He was tortured and hung on a cross to see how true forgiveness looks. It’s not about what was done to us…it’s about what we do in return. People like George Takei would almost seem justified in harboring ill feelings. To be taken from your home and placed in an internment camp just because of your family heritage would be reason enough…but to be part of a group who is the target of such incredible hatred and disgust because of your sexual orientation would only add fuel to the fire for many.
He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many. Hate never wins out in the end. It instead goes always to its lonely, dusty end."
To be imprisoned – sometimes standing in human excrement up to your waist - for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and claiming that He is the Messiah would be justification for holding a grudge. To be beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross for speaking the Truth and offering all who will follow You eternal life seems like justification for saying, “That’s it… forget it…you can all go to hell!” But not for George Takei… not the Apostle Paul…and certainly not for Jesus Christ!
So what’s our excuse? I will be the first to admit that forgiveness is not easy. I’ll also tell you that the devil is going to make sure that you don’t forgive readily! It takes work…sometimes hard, repetitive work…to truly forgive someone. But all we have to do is think of Jesus. That should make this easier. How can we NOT forgive others, when He forgives us…when He has forgiven so many for so very much?!
Notice, too, that Paul points out that a failure to forgive others never hurts them as much as it hurts us. It eats at our heart…un-forgiveness tears at our soul…and it contaminates our relationship with God. Takei is exactly right – hate never wins out in the end…and neither does a spirit of un-forgiveness. If we want to experience a genuine relationship with God…one in which we wholeheartedly trust Him for everything – and He uses us fully as Christian disciples…we must learn to forgive – completely and with a compassionate heart. I know I have work to do in this area…what about you?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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