March 17 ~ 2 Corinthians 2:5-9
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.
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."
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.
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
Philippians 3:12-14
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
There isn’t much I can add to this scripture passage. I certainly relate to the words of the Apostle Paul... I do not have it all together. While some would say I “have it made”… no life is without frustrations, worries and concerns – at least from time to time. Like others, my life has ups and downs. And I am definitely not an expert in all of this. I prayerfully share my thoughts about these scriptures with you. I try to offer my personal insight into how God is speaking through these verses about the events of our daily living… and how we can apply His teachings to our own lives.
But I am sure that there are days my message misses the mark… or holds little meaning or relevance for your own life. Because after all, these are my personal applications of God’s word. This is what He speaks to me on any given day.
Still, there is one thing I would hope that we could share from this… and that is a determination to press forward… to never turn back… to keep our eye on the prize of a life lived for Jesus Christ. Along the way, there will be challenges, troubles, and even heartaches. But if we keep running toward Jesus, He will meet us… and meet our needs.
One thing I would offer you today is this… as we press forward toward Jesus, we have to let go of many of our frustrations. We cannot harbor grudges. We can’t dredge up the insults and disappointments of our past. Our experiences shape us… but they must not define us. So whatever resentments you harbor… whatever mistakes you have made… whatever insults and offenses you have suffered… you must let them go. If you want to move onward with Jesus, you have to give Him your past – all of it. We must learn from the past… but we must live in the present and future with Christ.
So press onward! Reach for the goal of an earthly life lived for Jesus… and Eternity spent in His presence. Don’t get smug or overconfident. Stay close to God… and stay humble. But reach out for Christ…give Him the burdens of your past… and focus on what He has in store for you next!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Luke 11:4
Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted.’”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Virtually everyone is thinking about the tragic shooting that occurred at Aurora, Colorado, yesterday. And how could you not? People are covering this story on every news media outlet – it’s all over social media. And the question of the day seems to be, “Why?” Why would someone do this? What drove them to such madness? How could someone who high school classmates described as an ordinary, albeit geeky nerd do such heinous things? What makes a seemingly brilliant student lose focus and become so dark and evil?
Before you jump straight to placing the blame on Satan, consider that it’s not quite that simple. I heard one analyst this morning describe this behavior as possibly being the result of “injustice collecting.” In other words, some people do not seem to react to “injustice” in their life… from what seems like the smallest insult to a much larger affront. Instead, these offenses build up… they are collected over time. Sometimes the person becomes sullen, withdrawn, and someone we might call an “angry old cuss.” But sometimes… this “collection” is so distressing that the person becomes totally unbalanced because of it… and he/she may react in a serious – if not violent – manner.
Either way, you can see that failure to forgive those who have wronged you can lead to some serious consequences. And yes, the devil will dance over this! We are all guilty of “injustice collecting” to some degree. There has been a point in all of our lives where we have said, “I’ve HAD it!” We’ve “blown our tops” and behaved disruptively… if only on a relatively small scale. But any time we do this, we have succumbed to the temptation to harbor our grudges or ill feelings – and allow them to fester.
This is a good time for all of us to stop and ask God to give us strength… to help us to operate in forgiveness… to let go of even the smallest offenses and grudges. Ask God to help you forgive quickly and move forward. Call on Him to remove any sense of irritation or unsettled feelings – and to help you operate in love and peace in every situation. Whenever you feel tempted to add an offense or injustice to your “collection,” stop and ask God to remove this desire. Never give the devil an inch – or a moment’s pleasure!
I will be the first in line to tell you that forgiveness is often hard. But there is no way we can ask God to pardon us if we are unwilling to do the same for others. I am so thankful that God doesn’t harbor my offenses toward Him. If I want His forgiveness – if I want to be more like Him - I can’t do this, either. What about you? Do you have an “injustice collection?” Isn’t this the perfect day to get rid of it?
©2012 Debbie Robus
