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They went that-a-way!
I’ve been around this old world for over sixty one years. I’ve done a lot of things, gone a lot of places, and made a lot of friends.
But the other day I had a new experience.
If you’ve watched any cops and robbers shows, or some good old westerns, you’ve undoubtedly heard someone say, “They went that-a-way…” Well, call me odd, but I’ve always wanted to use that line in a real life situation.
I finally had the perfect opportunity.
I was sitting at my kiosk, which is located in front of a shoe store, when all of a sudden a four year old boy came tearing out of there, faster than a speeding bullet, unaccompanied and heading toward the food court. A couple of seconds later, his seven year old sister, following after him, zipped past me so fast I could feel the breeze she created.
Careful to stay out of the traffic lane, I turned to face the entrance of the shoe store. A few seconds later, the big brother, maybe ten, stepped out into the mall and looked left and right, trying to find his siblings.
As our eyes met, I quickly recognized my opportunity. Pointing toward the food court, I said with as much confidence and compassion as I could muster, “They went that-a-way!”
Trusting my words, he too made a beeline for the food court.
As I sat at my kiosk, I realized something special had just happened.
Maybe you’ve never wanted to do anything like I’ve just described. But I’m sure there’s something you’ve dreamed about, and maybe it seems a million miles away.
Yet things have a way of happening suddenly, without a moment’s notice, and you find yourself just five feet from the dream’s fulfillment. And unless you do what I’m about to suggest, you can miss that thing you’ve dreamed about.
What’s my suggestion?
Be engaged with life. Live. Quit worrying about all the dreams you’ve never seen fulfilled, the opportunities you let slip through your fingers, the mistakes you’ve made, and how long it’s been since you’ve witnessed a miracle.
Jesus said, “I have come that you would have abundant life” (John 10:10).
He also said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 ESV)
He came to give us abundant life; a life worth having AND living! And not just in Heaven.
Be engaged with life; it’s happening all around you. Some things will make you laugh, others may make you cry.
But live. Don’t shy away, or give in to worry.
Choose life!
Don’t miss out on something special.
No, it may not be a big deal to anyone but you. Hey, you’re not supposed to live someone else’s life.
Live. Stay engaged.
The very thing you’ve dreamed of may be only five feet away.
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Rumors can become tumors
Well, I hate to say this, but today I saw a Christian brother, who’s not married, do something no Christian man should ever be caught doing.
He went inside one of those swanky lingerie places.
Of course, I don’t want to gossip or spread any tales, but I thought you should know so you can pray for him.
His name is…
Sound familiar?
Think how fast a rumor like that could spread, all under the guise of a “prayer request”.
But what if the guy had a legitimate reason for being there?
Or say someone calls their pastor at 8:30 in the morning, desperately needing to talk with him, and his wife tells them he’s still in bed.
They hang up in a huff saying, “Must be nice to have such easy hours.” Then, they post the story on Facebook asking everyone to pray for their pastor; he needs a fresh anointing, and a new commitment to ministry.
What they don’t know is why he was still in bed. He’d been up all night at the hospital with a church family (happened to me one time).
Rumors have a way of becoming tumors. Gossip can do to relationships and reputations the same thing cancer can do to a body.
Destroy it.
Rumors can kill (emotionally, anyway) people, even if the people are innocent.
And God’s little helpers think they’re doing Him and everyone a favor by sharing such information. After all, people need to know the facts if they’re to pray accurately.
Right?
Wrong!
If God knows all and sees all, isn’t that enough? Wouldn’t it be better to say, “Lord, we pray for so and so. We ask for Your protection upon his spirit, soul, and body. We pray what the Apostle Paul prayed for the Thessalonians; that their whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:23).”
No gossip, no rumors, and no cancer.
Check out God’s opinion of rumors:
“There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.” (Proverbs 6:16 – 6:19 NLT)
False witnesses (liars) AND those who sow discord…strife or contention. They’re in the same group as the proud and the murderers.
Spreading malicious tales, even if true, is not the way of God’s Kingdom.
Paul said, “Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer…” (2 Timothy 2:16 – 2:17 NLT)
Rumors, even when proven false, can do tremendous damage; like I said, rumors can become tumors.
“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” (Proverbs 18:8 NLT)
If you feel you’ve got something vital to say, first think about what Paul told the Philippians.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
Is it true? Yes? Well, is it honorable? Does that bit of information build someone up, or tear them down?
“But I saw them do something terrible!”
Then talk with THEM about it.
Praise in public. Discipline in private.
Just remember: would YOU want others to give you the benefit of the doubt? Would YOU rather have someone talk with you in private if there’s something bothering them?
Go and do likewise.
Let’s cut the cancer out of the body BEFORE it has a chance to spread.
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If…
If you’re lost
If your life is hopeless
If you’re to old to remember youth
If you’ve forgotten more than most people have ever learned…
If you’re worried
If you’d rather give up
If your toenail is busted
If believing has become a thing of the past…
If your heart is broken
If you cry yourself to sleep each night
If the one you’ve trusted has let you down
If there’s not even a snowball’s chance in hell…
If push has come to shove
If you’re lying flat on your back
If the fat lady has already begun to sing
If you’re finally ready to admit you’ve been wrong…
There is God.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 – 11:30 ESV)
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The One Second Rule
“Wait a second!”
Have you ever considered just how long a second is? Or how much can be accomplished, either good or bad, within the little bit of time we call a second?
For example, if you travel at the moderate speed of 60 miles an hour, or a mile a minute, in one second you’ll travel 88 feet. Though it may not seem like a long distance, imagine what could happen if you fell asleep for a second or two.
Why am I writing about seconds?
For one reason; men (and women) can find themselves in real trouble if they let their thoughts run wild for a second or two.
The experts say humans think somewhere around 60-80,000 thoughts per day. Somewhat close to a thought per second. And if we would consider the role our eyes play in how and what we think, our thoughts may spike to as many as 5-10 thoughts a second!
Especially a man’s thoughts.
When his eyes catch sight of a pretty woman.
That’s why I’d like to introduce my “One Second Rule” to men everywhere.
Here’s how simple, yet powerful, it is.
Let’s say you’re walking in the mall, or anywhere there are people. You’re minding your own business, thinking thoughts your wife, daughter, or mother would sanction.
All of a sudden, without any warning, some cute little thing rushes past you, bouncing in all the right places. You can’t help but notice.
Really, you can’t help it.
But you are ready for it. Instinctively you count to yourself, “One-thousand-one”.
Out loud if necessary.
After one second, your mind shifts to a different direction. Your mind says, “Yep, one second isn’t very long. Now I can get back to living my life.”
I would venture to say if you’ll practice the one second rule, you’ll find yourself not even taking the whole time to retrieve your thoughts.
If you’ll train your thoughts, you’ll have an easier time training the rest of your body.
Which means you won’t spend time wondering if a person is trying to signal you with their body language, or a special gleam in their eye.
Remember, a lot can happen in a second.
Make sure you use your second for good.
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What are your ears itching to hear?
Don’t you just love all the wonderful options we have these days where churches are concerned?
I mean, gosh, somewhere there’s a church, television show, or a website proclaiming a message someone wants to hear.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3 – 4:4 NKJV)
The word “fables” is translated from the Greek word “mythos”, meaning – a tale, myth, fiction.
Many stories sound nice, but nice doesn’t necessarily equate with truth.
Christian folklore won’t raise the dead, but may harden someone’s heart.
Although a “church” may be known as a Christian hotspot, popularity isn’t necessarily an indicator of God’s approval.
In fact, if you’ll take a moment and remember all that you’ve read in the Bible, you’ll recall the majority is almost never right. The majority is typically found opposing God.
Truth isn’t always a popular thing.
At the Tower of Babel, the majority was wrong.
The residents of Sodom and Gomorrah were wrong, though they were loud, demonstrative, and in the majority.
The majority follow good marketing hype, popular opinions, charismatic personalities, and anyone who promises a great life with little investment or trouble.
“All you need is to believe in yourself, and you’ll have a life everyone else will envy.”
Truth is sometimes hard to handle. The Apostle Peter remarked that some of Paul’s writings were difficult to understand. But he reminds the reader to remain steadfast in the truth, not being led away into error. (2 Peter 3)
If you don’t abide in truth, you’re giving in to error, myths, and “Christian” fables.
In short, if you shun truth because it “doesn’t bear witness with your spirit”, you’re settling for a lie.
So what are your ears itching to hear?
Jesus said, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.”
It is very difficult to listen to the Spirit of God, and understand what He is saying, if we’re focused on something else.
No, I don’t want to sit and listen to gloom and despair, or how bad things are going to get before Jesus comes.
I’d rather not listen to a prophet who only speaks of judgment.
But I do want truth. I NEED truth.
And so does this world, whether they know it, or believe it, or not.
Truth may not give a person goosebumps, but it can enlighten one’s darkened spirit.
Truth won’t bow down to presidents or kings, peons or paupers.
It never yields to opinion polls, Twitter followers, or Facebook friends.
Truth doesn’t care who’s listening; it’s the same in season and out.
Truth is always relevant. Fads and fetishes are not.
What are your ears itching to hear?
“How can I tell the difference between truth and error?”
The word of God is truth (John 17:17).
Anything which doesn’t line up with the whole counsel of God is error.
“Mostly true” is error.
If you’re determined to hear (and speak) truth, don’t be surprised when people mock you for taking a stand for truth.
“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NLT)
And don’t be surprised to learn the majority of the world, unfortunately, will not repent of their rebellious ways.
“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:12 – 3:13 NLT)
One last time: what are your ears itching to hear?
You’d better know the answer…
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Just wait until your father gets home!
Most people know what I’m talking about when I say growing up has its challenges.
Do you agree?
And many people (especially baby boomers) can remember those seven terrifying words which struck fear into the heart of every kid; words only a frustrated and frazzled mother could say.
“Just wait until your father gets home!”
I heard it so much as a kid, I always knew when I was about to hear it again. Moms seem to develop that certain kind of look when they’re about ready to lower the boom.
No, I didn’t need to have the gift of prophecy or any special anointing to know when judgment was soon to come. The “look” let me know I was in a heap of trouble.
I can still hear the sound of my dad’s car, as he pulled up to the house. The brakes on his 1958 Ford station wagon screeched when he was just about to stop completely, and I knew…
I knew judgment was about to be meted out.
Funny, but I can’t remember much of what took place afterwards; I was so consumed by the thought, “Dad’s coming home, and he’s not gonna be happy.”
Whew. Thank God I finally outgrew that. I finally grew up and became a responsible adult; never more to hear “just wait until your father gets home.”
Uh, sorry. But that’s not right.
I’m hearing it these days, as well.
Only this time it’s not something my mom is telling me. It’s a word I’m hearing from the Spirit of God.
A word Peter talked about in his first letter.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:17 – 4:18 NKJV)
In other words, “Just wait until your father gets home.”
Why would judgment begin at the house of God? I mean, I thought Jesus took our judgment when He died on the cross?
He did. And it’s through faith in His substitutionary act that we are born again into the family of God.
That’s when we become one of the Father’s kids.
It would be wonderful if all of God’s kids were perfect, but we’re not.
No, I’m not about to try and list all the ways God’s kids have frustrated and grieved the Holy Spirit, but I will share what I believe to be one of the biggest.
Again, I’ll let Peter tell it.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:12 – 4:16 NKJV)
Compromise.
Compromise because we don’t like trials, or being misunderstood, or reproached for the Name of Christ.
Who does?
And although we’ve found ways to get around suffering for Jesus (especially in America), it has cost us dearly.
It has cost us something the early church had; something which empowered them to turn their world upside down.
Glory. Something beyond the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Glory.
The Glory of God.
Did you notice what Peter said, just prior to his “Dad’s got something to say” word?
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
What things have we used to get around suffering?
Here are a few:
We’ve expected society to think and act like us, and since it doesn’t want to, we’ve started acting more like it.
We apologize for using the J word; or we simply leave it at home; even though there’s “no other Name given among men whereby we must be saved.”
We’ve become theatrical in our gospel presentation. That in itself isn’t necessarily wrong, but I think there’s a difference between packaging something and hiding something.
If our gospel is hidden, it’s hidden from those who are lost.
If we can’t use plain language, relying upon the Spirit of God for boldness, power, and results, maybe we’re not really sure about the message.
Anyway, those are some things I’ve noticed about myself, and the church in general.
And I can hear the Spirit say, “Just wait until your Father gets home.”
But you know what? Paul told us of a way to avoid the Father’s judgment. And I believe it’s why the Spirit is prompting me to write this post.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:31 – 11:32 NKJV)
Judge ourselves. Correct our behavior BEFORE Father gets home.
In other words, let’s not wait for our Father to get home, let’s do what He says, even if it could mean persecution.
God’s Glory rests upon those who aren’t ashamed of the gospel.
And God’s Glory changes lives.
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Utensils in the kitchen drawer
Okay, so I’m a guy. I look like a guy and act like one, as well.
I do, however, ask for directions (sometimes).
Around the house my wife will hear me asking, “Where are the BBQ tongs? Where can I find our meat thermometer?”
“Right where it was the last time you asked me, and the thermometer is right next to it.”
Oh.
Yep, I’m a guy.
I can figure out which cooking utensil I want to use, but I don’t always know where they’re hidden.
If I knew which drawer to open, I would. I’d be the self-starter, take the initiative, reach into the drawer and grab the utensil best suited for the job.
You know what happens when I can’t find what I’m looking for, don’t you? I find something else to use; something not really designed for what I need.
For instance, using a butter knife for a screwdriver. A big ladle for a hammer. An empty paper towel tube for a funnel.
Ones who designed the butter knife, gravy ladle, and paper towel tube had specific purposes in mind. When used for what they were intended, they work quite well.
Did you know YOU were created for a purpose?
On purpose, for a purpose. God oversaw your development in your mother’s womb, placed gifts, callings, and abilities inside your spirit, and is just waiting for you to discover who you are, and what you can do.
For the glory of God.
Whether or not you have ever accepted the Lord’s call of repentance, He has already prepared a glorious position for you in His Kingdom. You’ve been created in Christ Jesus for good works.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
When you turn to the Lord, allowing Him to be your Lord and Savior, the exciting adventure begins. You become one of His utensils, one of His SPECIAL utensils; one He’ll use for SPECIAL occasions.
And with God, everything and everyone is special.
Oh, and by the way, God isn’t too lazy to make sure He has the right tool, the right utensil, for the task at hand.
What do you and I need to do?
Be where He puts us. If He wants us in the drawer with other utensils, then we need to stay there until He picks us out.
Realize the need to be ready; clean, functioning, and prepared for every good work.
Set our minds on things above, and renew our minds with God’s word; so we may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
It’s great to “dwell in the house of the Lord…” But to me, it’s even greater to be one of His utensils in the kitchen drawer.
“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20 – 2:21 NLT)
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Guys, are you training to be a rapist?
Rape is NEVER okay.
It should NEVER be tolerated, and its punishment should be VERY SEVERE.
With that said, let’s look at ways it may be prevented.
And no, I’m not going to blame the victim for the actions of the rapist.
Rapists aren’t just born, they develop. No little guy is ever destined to become a rapist; a person who violates another sexually.
I have a hard time believing a high school or college kid walks down a dark alley one night, sees a young lady passed out, all alone, and for the first time in his life, the lustful violent thoughts of rape move him to action. It may be the first time he actually commits the crime, but lustful cravings have probably been building up to that point.
Since the rapist is almost always a guy, I’ll direct my comments to male readers.
What is your opinion of women? Are they mere sex objects, something to be used for your own gratification and pleasure?
No? But are you viewing pictures or videos of women for your sexual enjoyment?
Do you fantasize about the different females you know? Do you value them based on their attractiveness, and their willingness to give you what you want?
When you date someone, where do you go? What’s the goal for the evening? Is your goal to “score” or do you honestly value her innocence and want to help her protect it?
Is sexual purity something you strive for, or are you playing the field; no commitment to morality, God, or even the woman you say you’re crazy about?
If you found yourself in a compromising situation; say the woman you were with suddenly made the suggestion to have sex, would her consent be all you’d need to get at it?
What if she dressed provocatively, spoke and acted in a flirty, sexy manner all evening long, and finally, at the end of the evening passed out in front of you (in a secluded area)?
Would THAT give you the green light to do as you please with her body?
How often is your “fuse” lit? If a woman brushes against you, even accidentally, do you find yourself becoming aroused?
What happens when they give you that “smile” that says, “c’mon, see what you can get me to do”?
What’s my point with all these questions? Guys, I’m saying the more YOU allow your fuse to be lit, the more you flirt with sex, the more you put yourself in compromising situations, AND the longer you think it’s okay to pursue YOUR pleasure through whatever means works (including masturbation), YOU are just that much closer to becoming a rapist.
Husbands, it’s NOT OKAY to rape your wife, either!
Ever!
Forceful, violent sex is never right.
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor…” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 – 4:4 NLT)
Stay away from ALL sexual sin. Period.
You’ll never be on trial for “20 minutes of action…”
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Mirror, Mirror On The Wall…
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall…”, inquired the evil queen in the fairy tale “Snow White”.
Have you ever wished YOU had such a mirror; one that would always tell the truth, regardless of who’s standing in front of it?
Actually, there is such a mirror. But the question is, can you handle the truth?
Mirrors pull no punches, and tell no lies. What you see is what you get. They reveal every hair out of place, every pimpled chin, and every roll of fat no matter what your religious affiliation or political persuasion is.
Mirrors do not care if you are black or white, yellow or blue.
For those who are interested in truly changing their lives, the mirror is probably the most important thing to have handy.
Like I said, if you can handle the truth.
If you cannot stand to see yourself for how you really are, you will never change for the better. As long as you keep from seeing your reflection, you will see yourself in a much better way.
Without truth, there can be no worthwhile change.
In the Snow White story, the evil queen enjoyed her magic mirror every day. Each morning she’d awaken, rise out of bed, and stand before her favorite friend; the mirror. She’d ask it the same thing each day, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” To which the mirror would answer, “My queen, you are the fairest one of all.”
As long as the mirror continued with the same response, the queen was cool. But once the mirror began reporting someone fairer than the queen, she was ready to kill.
Once again; the awesome power of the mirror.
God’s word is like a mirror. It reads the same to whoever looks at it. Whether you have tons of money, or barely enough to make ends meet, you can always count on God’s word to tell you exactly what you look like.
But, it has at least one advantage over every other mirror; magic or not.
God’s word, His mirror, will not only show you what you look like, but what you can become. It reveals your present spiritual condition, and the one God is creating within you.
In other words, it shows you what you are, who you are, and what He can make of you.
What do you need to do? Only one thing.
Continue in it.
Don’t be afraid of the truth, and the truth will set you free.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:22 – 1:25 ESV)
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16 – 3:17 NKJV)
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Why won’t you forgive me when I tell you I’m sorry?
These days, the words, “I’m sorry” are about as genuine and believable as a university head basketball/football coach’s signature on a multiyear contract.
In other words, they mean nothing.
“But why won’t people believe me when I say I’m sorry? Why do I have to jump through so many hoops before they forgive me?”
Let’s think about it for a minute or two.
I like the folks who think Jesus said, “If a brother sins against you, don’t get mad or judge him. Calmly let him know he hurt your feelings. And if he says, ‘I’m sorry’, believe him and let him slide.”
Honestly, there are people who think Jesus said those words.
But here’s what He REALLY said:
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3 – 17:4 ESV)
Notice Jesus said we’re to rebuke (call to account) the one who sins against us. IF he repents (acknowledges his wrongdoing and turns from it) we’re to forgive.
“I’m sorry” isn’t the same as repentance.
Paul demonstrated this truth in his letters to the Corinthian church.
In the first letter, he told them to judge (rebuke sharply) a young man who was having sex with his father’s wife (chapter 5). The idea was to help bring the man to repentance; see him change his mind as well as his actions.
In the second letter, Paul told them that their godly response toward the man did what he had hoped; it made the man face his sin and with godly sorrow he turned from his sinful ways.
Paul said, “NOW you need to forgive him and restore him…”
He then reminded them of the difference between godly sorrow (sorrow that changes one’s behavior) and worldly sorrow (sorrow that merely says, “I’m sorry”).“I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9 – 7:10 NASB)
So why don’t people believe you when you say those magic words “I’m sorry”?
And why won’t they automatically forgive you, even though you’ve uttered those two special words?
Maybe it’s because you’re always saying them, yet never displaying any remorse or desire to change your behavior. Perhaps it’s because of your “you have to forgive me” attitude.
And it could be you have never believed you are capable of being wrong.
Yes, it’s true people should be quick to forgive; it is ALSO true people are to take their cue from God. We must forgive as He forgives.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NASB)
“Just as…”
God’s work of salvation, including the forgiveness of sins found in the substitutionary work of Jesus, will only be experienced by someone IF they repent and believe. No repentance, no forgiveness.
“I’m sorry, God”, is a start; but not if there’s no change of heart and mind.
Remember, we’re told to forgive “just as…”. So, no repentance, no forgiveness.
It was true then, and it’s true now.
So just because you’re quick to say, “I’m sorry”, doesn’t mean I or anyone else has to be quick to forgive.
Repentance? That’s a whole different story.
“I’m sorry”? If you say those words because it’s a habit, every time someone holds you accountable, you might as well say, “I did it, I’m glad I did it, and I’m gonna do it again; so there!”
It will mean just as much as “I’m sorry”.
Maybe, for once, along with “I’m sorry”, you could add, “Will you please help me? I don’t want to keep offending you, God, or anyone else.”
That is, if you truly mean it.
If you have true repentance.
If not, then I’m sorry; you’ll just have to deal with the consequences.
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
Jan Grace 