I have always felt far more compelled to scrutinize my end of the political spectrum and wish more Americans had that view. If each side did a better job policing themselves, and spent less time drmonizing the other, maybe there would be some accountability in the system.
It is like a parent being more concerned about the behavior of their neighbor's children than of their own.
It's said that "From the person to whom much is given, much is expected." We all have had much given to us by God, namely His forgiveness of our sins and the promise of our salvation. Given that reality, it seems that the couple which you write about understands that properly. Forgiveness is often a hard thing to extend to someone for we humans; it's also exactly the thing that God expects from us.
I have often thought about putting up a yard sign with Joshua 24:15 ("As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD") just to see what most people's reactions would be seeing it among all the "Love More" and other such signs put up by various members of the post-Christian left in this little college town. Somehow, I suspect that the reactions would not be all that favorable from any post-Christian person, right or left. Really serving God, after all, means doing things which are totally contrary to the "normal" behaviors of people in the beginning of the 21st Century; it's also what He expects from we to whom so much has been given, whether or not we realize it.
In your discussion on forgiveness, I think you may be missing a critical interim step. If you diligently search the Scriptures, you will find that we are told that God the Son created humankind 'in Our likeness' (spiritual, of course) Gen 1:26. When we choose to live within this likeness, we emulate God in every possible way and that includes how He forgives us of our sins. He cannot and does not forgive us if we do not ask. He does, however, remain diligently faithful to wait for this request and, once forgiven, we are no longer accountable for the sin.
When we are sinned against, we are told to love our enemies and pray for those that use us (Matt 5:44 cf). Further, we are instructed to do good to all people as we have opportunity (Gal 6:10), and return good for evil (I Thess 5:15), and ultimately, God the Son will repay evil on His day of judgment.
This love we are told to extend to all (friend and enemy alike) is 'agape' which is the love God extends toward us in His grace for our correction, discipline, and training.
So, to attempt to encapsulate a topic of great breadth and depth, we are to love (agape) those who do us harm and act from an evil heart. This can embrace ensuring justice is served in the hope that the evildoer is given time to repent and turn toward God, protecting society at large, and so on. The step so many miss in the blanket forgiveness that God demonstrates is the requirement of being asked for the forgiveness.
When does God forgive us our sins? When we turn back (x-ref prodigal son) from the corrupting attitudes, turn toward Godly sorrow and repentance, and ask for it. The typical argument is that most evildoers will never ask. That's between them and their judgement. If we follow the complete Word of God, then, we will remain READY to forgive as many times as we are asked.
This is how we can process evil deeds in this carnal world; whether the murderer or pedophile or thief ever asks our forgiveness, we prepare our minds and hearts to instantly forgive if ever asked. This takes much of the burden of our grief and allows our intermediary (the Holy Spirit) and High Priest (Jesus Christ) to bear it with us.
We never 'move on' from such loss, we learn to 'move with' it to a place of deeper agape love and spiritual peace with the event. I speak from personal experience with unimaginable loss and, when I follow the Biblical pattern, I find peace in the midst of an evil-minded world.
Erick, you are spot on with your observation. I reside in the community where the young man resided. The parents have enough to deal with in the loss of their son without being castigated for their active and living faith.
Happy Anniversary Erick and may God continue to Bless your entire family. Keep up the Outstanding job and I look forward to seeing you later this month at the Governor’s Gun Club!!
Happy anniversary and prayers for many more with your sweet wife!
I’m having to remind myself daily that God is sovereign and He is in control. Otherwise, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay sane in this world we live in.
I have always felt far more compelled to scrutinize my end of the political spectrum and wish more Americans had that view. If each side did a better job policing themselves, and spent less time drmonizing the other, maybe there would be some accountability in the system.
It is like a parent being more concerned about the behavior of their neighbor's children than of their own.
It's said that "From the person to whom much is given, much is expected." We all have had much given to us by God, namely His forgiveness of our sins and the promise of our salvation. Given that reality, it seems that the couple which you write about understands that properly. Forgiveness is often a hard thing to extend to someone for we humans; it's also exactly the thing that God expects from us.
I have often thought about putting up a yard sign with Joshua 24:15 ("As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD") just to see what most people's reactions would be seeing it among all the "Love More" and other such signs put up by various members of the post-Christian left in this little college town. Somehow, I suspect that the reactions would not be all that favorable from any post-Christian person, right or left. Really serving God, after all, means doing things which are totally contrary to the "normal" behaviors of people in the beginning of the 21st Century; it's also what He expects from we to whom so much has been given, whether or not we realize it.
Erick:
In your discussion on forgiveness, I think you may be missing a critical interim step. If you diligently search the Scriptures, you will find that we are told that God the Son created humankind 'in Our likeness' (spiritual, of course) Gen 1:26. When we choose to live within this likeness, we emulate God in every possible way and that includes how He forgives us of our sins. He cannot and does not forgive us if we do not ask. He does, however, remain diligently faithful to wait for this request and, once forgiven, we are no longer accountable for the sin.
When we are sinned against, we are told to love our enemies and pray for those that use us (Matt 5:44 cf). Further, we are instructed to do good to all people as we have opportunity (Gal 6:10), and return good for evil (I Thess 5:15), and ultimately, God the Son will repay evil on His day of judgment.
This love we are told to extend to all (friend and enemy alike) is 'agape' which is the love God extends toward us in His grace for our correction, discipline, and training.
So, to attempt to encapsulate a topic of great breadth and depth, we are to love (agape) those who do us harm and act from an evil heart. This can embrace ensuring justice is served in the hope that the evildoer is given time to repent and turn toward God, protecting society at large, and so on. The step so many miss in the blanket forgiveness that God demonstrates is the requirement of being asked for the forgiveness.
When does God forgive us our sins? When we turn back (x-ref prodigal son) from the corrupting attitudes, turn toward Godly sorrow and repentance, and ask for it. The typical argument is that most evildoers will never ask. That's between them and their judgement. If we follow the complete Word of God, then, we will remain READY to forgive as many times as we are asked.
This is how we can process evil deeds in this carnal world; whether the murderer or pedophile or thief ever asks our forgiveness, we prepare our minds and hearts to instantly forgive if ever asked. This takes much of the burden of our grief and allows our intermediary (the Holy Spirit) and High Priest (Jesus Christ) to bear it with us.
We never 'move on' from such loss, we learn to 'move with' it to a place of deeper agape love and spiritual peace with the event. I speak from personal experience with unimaginable loss and, when I follow the Biblical pattern, I find peace in the midst of an evil-minded world.
Happy Anniversary.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary . It's a great day, it's also my birthday. Thank you for all that you do.
God bless you and your family.
God is the ultimate judge. We are accountable to Him.
Thank you for standing up for true Christian ways and not caving to detractors
good one thanks
David
Happy anniversary to you both
Also, Happy Anniversary to you and your bride.
Erick, you are spot on with your observation. I reside in the community where the young man resided. The parents have enough to deal with in the loss of their son without being castigated for their active and living faith.
Happy Anniversary Erick and may God continue to Bless your entire family. Keep up the Outstanding job and I look forward to seeing you later this month at the Governor’s Gun Club!!
Happy Anniversary! God grant you and your wife many years!
Happy ,Happy anniversary and so many more.
Happy anniversary and prayers for many more with your sweet wife!
I’m having to remind myself daily that God is sovereign and He is in control. Otherwise, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay sane in this world we live in.
Happy Anniversary!!
Happy anniversary!!