Human

 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14,15 ESV)

Human

Recently, in a dramatic presentation, our cast learned that one of our players was no longer able to take part.  We found a replacement.  She is a young lady of similar age, deportment, and ability.  We did not replace our actor with a kitten, an old man, or a tree.  Only like can replace like.

Sometimes I prepare a particular casserole for our Wednesday church dinner.  Once I was unable to purchase corn, a necessary ingredient.  Instead I used peas.  But I did not replace the corn with meatballs, tulips, or pebbles.  Only like can replace like.

Last week, some IT problems stranded large numbers of travelers.  When their flights were cancelled, they did not receive new luggage, potato salad, or complementary tickets to a movie theater.  Only like can replace like.

When the One True Living God needed to grant His people absolute forgiveness,  To remain Just, He needed, though, to punish someone.  And so He chose a replacement. 

He could not kill an animal in our place. Only like can replace like. (The Old Testament Sacrifices did not grant forgiveness, but only pointed the way to Christ’s substitutionary atonement.)

He could not kill Himself in our place.  Divinity is not the same as humanity, and would not have sufficed.  Only like can replace like.

He could not destroy creation itself.  Only like can replace like.

So was born the Christ.  Fully divine, yes.  But fully human so that like can replace like.

Anything else would make our forgiveness incomplete.

When we feel insecure about the sureness of our forgiveness, remember that God justly, perfectly, wisely, lovingly, and necessarily replaced like with like.

Shame

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11 ESV)

Shame

Regret for past actions, thoughts, and attitudes is not shame.

Awareness of a tendency to sin in particular ways is not shame.

A desire to make restitution, regardless of time passage, is not shame.

Shame is continuing to feel guilt after God’s forgiveness.  Shame is adding more guilt to what has been forgiven by God.  Shame is equating past sin with present forgiven self.

Before God, because (and ONLY because) of Christ’s work, Christians have no shame.  Shame makes no sense, if we are forgiven.

Before other people, because (and ONLY because) of Christ’s work, Christians have no need for shame.  Shame makes no sense if we are forgiven.

Even in self-reflection, because (and ONLY because) of Christ’s work, Christians have no need for shame.  Shame makes NO sense if we are forgiven.

Believe in the Lord, and shame has no foundation.

The Sword

…for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:4 ESV)

The Sword

The primary way that God takes vengeance on His enemies, is that He punished Christ instead of sinners.  God’s wrath fell on Christ instead of His people.

But clearly, justice is needed in the here-and-now, not only eternally.

And God made governments to look after justice in our world.

A tyrant is not simply a mean national leader.  A tyrant is anyone who takes and uses authority they do not have.  A child who orders a parent about is a tyrant.  A boss who attempts to control your home life is a tyrant.  A teacher who tries to teach what to think, instead of how to think, is a tyrant.

And when we try to take God’s authority as our own, we are tyrants.

When we are unwilling or unable to forgive, it is often because we are trying to take God’s authority, the authority for vengeance, on ourselves.  We want to bring God’s wrath on someone.

It is easy to see the path that leads us towards that kind of tyranny.  We might not think God is bringing justice fast enough.  We might not be satisfied with the vengeance God is showing His enemies.  We might not believe that God is doing a good job.

And usually, we forget that God has delegated the authority in this world to bring justice.  The Bible uses the metaphor of the sword to depict this.  God does not need the state to bring justice, but He chooses to set up governments to do that.

And they usually do not do as good a job as WE would, if God had given US that sword!

Governments do fail.  Governments are not often just.  Governments are not often purposeful.  Governments are not often God-fearing.  Governments are often tyrannical, taking vengeance where they do not have the right.

But that does not mean WE get that sword, as individual people of God.

But when we take up that sword, not only are we tyrants, but we lock our hearts into an attitude of non-forgiveness.

I realize this topic is a lot more complicated than space allows.  But suffice it to say, that letting God’s system take care of vengeance is a good way to nurture forgiveness in our hearts.

Fools

We are fools for Christ’s sake, ( I Corinthians 4:10 ESV)

Fools

In the eyes of the world, and maybe in the way we were brought up, being so very extremely forgiving is seen as foolish.  We are bound to be embarrassed by our kindness, when the forgiven ends up repeating their offense.  We are bound to be taken advantage of, because forgivers seem to reject due recompense.  We are bound to be seen as naïve, weak, and like a doormat.

But we are only those things if Jesus Christ is.

He forgives not because He profits thereby, but because forgiveness is the core of His gospel.  He forgives not because we have earned it, or are likely to remain daily faithful, but because forgiveness is the core of the gospel.  He forgives not because it is weak, meek, or mild, but because HIS kind of forgiveness is the epitome of strength.

And we get to be that kind of fool.  Forgiveness displays the gospel when we see the horrible offense, but choose to forgo recompense, displaying mercy like Christ’s.  Forgiveness displays the gospel when we deserve justice, revenge, and fairness, displaying love like Christ’s.  Forgiveness displays the gospel when we deserve surface victory, displaying kingship like Christ’s.

The world might see forgiveness as foolish, but we know better.

Wicked

You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ (Matthew 18:32,33)

Wrong Headed

We have examined this servant before.  His boss calls him wicked.  Usually, we withhold that title or description for someone who has observably done something harmful, nasty, or unrighteous.

We look for external signs before we declare someone wicked.  Intentions do not usually earn that title.  Plans that are not carried out are usually not called wicked.  Unhealthy emotions are not usually called wicked until someone acts on them. 

But this servant was called wicked for something less visible.

He was called wicked for not forgiving.

He was, and this is hidden in the original meaning of the word “wicked,” wrong headed.

We see that wicked servant and we know that he is wicked.  But we are no more eager to forgive than he was.

Let us get our heads the right way. 

Forgive, like the most holy righteous perfect person in the universe does.  Have heads like Christ.

More Different

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)

MORE Different

One of my family’s friends while growing up always got their cars worked on.  We did SOME of the prevention and maintenance things, but this particularly family spent a lot of time and money making sure their cars were in top shape.

They were different than the rest of us.

More so, Christians are different from the world.  Because we are forgiven.

We are not different because we are nicer.  We often are not.  We are not different because we are more obedient to God’s law.  We often are not.  We are not different because we go to church, pray, read the Bible, or are more polite.  We might be all of those things, at times, but they are not what makes us different.

We are forgiven.  Because of Christ’s work.  Because of Christ’s life.  Because of Christ’s death.  Because of Christ’s resurrection.

Our forgiveness is the most different, and the best thing about us.

Stop forgetting that.

Different

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)

Different

Only our God shows forgiveness.  The world says get even.  The state says forgiveness MIGHT come after punishment.  Our legal system says forgiveness is failure.  Our playgrounds taught us forgiveness is for the weak.

Modern psycho-babble says that forgiveness is not necessary, since everyone is nice.  Humanism says forgiveness is just a form of justice, since all are simply equal, regardless of role or activity.  And religion says forgiveness is earned only through new obedience to some standard.

But God’s word says do not be like the world.  Instead, we get to receive, understand, and give real forgiveness.

Real forgiveness occurs when the offense is clearly stated.  But rather than vengeance, the offended offers forgiveness.  Real forgiveness occurs when the offended deserves to be angry.  But rather than continued anger, the offended offers forgiveness.  Real forgiveness occurs when justice demands punishment and recompense.  But the offended offers forgiveness.

It is probably the most DIFFERENT thing that Christians can do.

Be different, forgive.  Even if you are the only one.

The Same

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. (James 2:10 ESV)

The Same

This past weekend our nation heard about an assassination attempt.  Assassinations are definitely on the high, serious end of our list of sins.  Assassinations might be on one end, and disobeying traffic laws might be on the other.

But in God’s eyes, a sin is a sin, and separates sinners from God.  Certainly some sins have worse effects than others.  But sins, as far as how our holy God perceives them, are at the same level.

I am finding that there are two kinds of people in the church.  Some find it easier to forgive BIG sins.  Others find it easier to forgive SMALL sins.

But instead, remember how God views them.  He loves His people enough to kill His Son for EVERY kind of sin.  No big.  No little.  Just sin.

The angels rejoice when we are able to forgive big sins.  The angels rejoice when we are able to forgive small sins.

We cause much rejoicing in heaven when we forgive like God does.  When we forgive like He forgives us.

Whether it is tiny offenses, or political assassinations.

Forgive.

Imbalance

You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ (Matthew 18:32,33)

Imbalance

President Dwight D. Eisenhouwer was generous with his time.  He is rumored to have answered every letter sent to him by American schoolchildren, personally.

A reporter asked him why.  And President Ike answered, “The people of this country have given me so much.  How can I not take the time to answer a few letters?”

The reporter followed up with a statement.  “So you are repaying these young Americans for trusting you with this office?”

The story is, that Eisenhouwer smiled with that quirky grin.  “It is not a question of repaying, or of balance.  After all I have received, my gratitude forces me to this action.”

Christians are forgiven.  We received and receive and will receive more blessings than Eisenhouwer.  His blessings ended after eight years.  His blessings ended when political favor shifted.  His blessings ended when biographers dulled the shine of his life story.

We are not asked to forgive to balance out what we’ve received.  That would be impossible.  Our Sins against God far outweigh our sins against each other.  So much so, that it is silly to compare.

But because we bask and rest and rejoice in His forgiveness… Christians naturally forgive, too.

Not to balance.  But because, WOW, how can we not?

Vengeance

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 ESV)

Vengeance

We no longer use the word, venge.  Venge refers to punishment.  But we do use a number of forms of the word.  Re-venge is to extract punishment when we have been hurt.  A-venge is to extract punishment when we have been unjustly punished.  And venge-ance covers the whole arena of punishment.

God is not only the universe’s best expert on venge, but He holds all responsibility, authority, and duty to venge in His strong right arm.  While the Trinity has passed on to us love, creativity, honor, humility, stewardship, and relationship… He has kept venging for Himself.

The Father sovereignly extracts and performs all venging, choosing to venge His Son instead of His other children.

The Son has risen to the throne, and bears and IS the sword of venging. 

The Spirit directs our hearts to know that we deserve God’s venging, and also ensures our protection from true venging though union with Christ.

The almighty God retains, completes, and improves all the venge in the universe.  Because of His love for His people.

God’s individual people do not need to do venge for Him.  We do not need to ensure venge on His behalf.  We do not need to make sure that all the venge that is sometimes so obviously needed all around us, because of us, on us, or especially due us is completed.

God has it in hand.  God had it in hand.  God will have it in hand.

So forgiveness can be grasped.  God already has the venge taken care of.  In a way, we have nothing to forgive.

Better

…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’  (Acts 20:35)

Better

It is common and easy to apply these words to Christmas presents, acts of kindness, and second helpings of dessert.  But the same concept can be applied to forgiveness, as well.

In our relationships with each other, we want to be forgiven.  We are blessed when others forgive us.  Eventually, as time progresses after an offense, we begin to expect to be forgiven.

But it is a blessing to forgive, even more than it is a blessing to be forgiven.

In fact, being overly concerned about BEING forgiven might show a weakness in our hearts. 

Rather than be angry at those who have not forgiven us, instead forgive them.

Rather than be sullen about a lack of forgiveness towards us, instead forgive others.

Rather than hold a grudge against those who have not forgiven us, instead display the gracious and rare gift of forgiving others.

Even before they apologize.  Even before they repent.  Even before they know they need forgiveness.

Just like Jesus has forgiven us.

Comparison

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. (Galatians 6:3,4 ESV)

Comparisons

We had some fierce competition for Valedictorian in High School.  I was never in the running (those annoying C’s in Phys Ed…) But for two or three of my classmates, each test was an opportunity to compare, rate, and brag.

We compete when it comes to righteousness, too.  Maybe we do not rate our faithfulness against our family or friends, because we KNOW that it is Christ’s righteousness that matters.  We all lose in that comparison.

But when it comes to forgiveness, we find it hard to forgive folk who are WORSE than us.  We observe someone’s terrible sin, and because we would never do the things they did, it is comfortable to withhold forgiveness.

Maybe we find it hard to forgive folk who seem BETTER than us, too.  Whether it is an odd form of jealousy, or perhaps a feeling that those more righteous need forgiveness so rarely, we withhold forgiveness in those cases, too.

But such comparisons do nothing.  It does not matter whether we are forgiving someone worse than us, or better than us.  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all of God’s people still find forgiveness in Christ.  Where we fall on an imagined scale is irrelevant and silly.

And since Christ forgives so broadly, we get to, as well.

Christians forgive not based on the level of offense, but because of the immense and graceful forgiveness of Christ.

Our choice to forgive has nothing to do with a comparison of ‘them’ and ‘us.’  It has to do with the richness of HIM.

Costly

…in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14 ESV)

Costly

One Christmas, a family that I know was struggling financially.  So rather than spend money they did not have, they decided to choose gifts for each other from among their present possessions.  One of the children (perhaps a little young to embrace the concept) went through the toybox and particularly chose toys that were not ever played with.

Those gifts were not noted, received well, or appreciated. 

God gives His people forgiveness as a gift.

But that forgiveness is not lightly, thoughtlessly, or cheaply given.

Here, Paul appropriately ties our forgiveness with redemption.

God’s gift is expensive.  It was the most valuable thing He owned (and He owns everything!)  He paid for our forgiveness through the redemption that Christ bought on the cross.

And the serious price God paid gives us confidence that the forgiveness He gives is real.  It is not merely a gift, but a costly gift.  It is not merely a gift, but a meaningful gift.  It is not merely a gift, but a profound, important, necessary gift.

Receive it and smile.

Fear

But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:4 ESV)

Fear

There is a small town somewhere in Ohio in which a factory manufactures a certain kind of computer chip.  For various reasons, no other factor is able to produce that chip. It is a necessary component in cell phones.

That small factory carries a lot of clout.

No one wants to offend them.  Because technically, they are the only source of cell phones. 

The only source of forgiveness is God.  Only the Father has the authority to forgive.  Only the Son procures forgiveness though His life, and death, and life.  Only the Spirit has the power to apply the Son’s work to our hearts.

If we need forgiveness, we need God.

And oh, we need forgiveness.

Fear, here, is not being afraid of God’s power.  Fear, here, is being afraid of losing our only source of forgiveness.

The good and ironic news is, that His forgiveness is what guarantees we will not lose Him!

Freedom TO

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

Freedom TO

Our political forefathers did not rebel simply to be free FROM the tyranny of George’s tyranny.  If that we the case, they would never have formed a new political union.  They would have gone home and felt free from all those things they listed in the Declaration of Independence.

Instead, they rebelled to be free TO form independent states, and eventually to be free TO attempt to make a more perfect union.

Forgiving others seems like a chore.  An unpleasant chore that we are SUPPOSED to do, and therefore occasionally attempt.  With resentment.  With sullenness.  Without joy.

Choosing to forgive not only frees our hearts from bitterness, not only frees our consciences from a burden, not only frees our minds from the chains of grudges…  Choosing to forgive brings energy to live, brings connection with THE forgiver, Christ Jesus, brings peace.

It is not an unpleasant chore.  We GET to forgive.  It is not a frowny-action.  We GET to forgive.  It is not a thing of sorrow.  We GET to forgive.

Because of Christ’s forgiveness, we are free TO forgive.

For Him

I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.  (Isaiah 43:25 ESV)

For Him

I do not usually clearly understand why God seems so eager to forgive me.  I know what I have done, I know what I do, and I know what I will do.  I do not have that much positive effect on His Kingdom that He would be expected to kill Jesus on MY behalf.

But He did.  And for you, too.

But my lack of understanding can be cleared up by this verse.  God tells us that He did not forgive us for OUR sake. If He HAD done it for our sake, the result might be some reasonable insecurity.  We might become even LESS valuable to God as time goes on.  We might discover MORE unworthiness in ourselves.

But God forgives us for HIS sake.

He forgives us because HE enjoys forgiving.  He forgives us because HE knows what is absolutely the best, beyond our eyesight and comprehension.  He forgives us because it is what HE wants to do for us.

And so His forgiveness is reliable, dependable, and amazingly secure.

We moderns might not like this concept.  We want to be THE reason for anything and everything.

But when it comes to forgiveness (and so much more…) God does it for HIS sake.

So rejoice.  Because if our forgiveness was merely for US, we could not rest assured.

Forget!

…then He adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17 ESV)

Forget!

“I can forgive… but I can never forget.”

While indeed that type of comment MIGHT simply mean that we realize that actions have consequences, it usually means we have not forgiven.

It is a way we can say, “I forgive” but not really forgive.

But it is a start.

Forgiveness moves inexorably to forgetting.

When God forgives, He makes a choice:  Even though He has the right to be angry forever, He chooses to forgive.  And we can, too.

When God forgives, He desires relationship with the forgiven, because God loves.  And we can, too.

When God forgives, He forgives ONLY because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  And we can, too!

Forgive and forget.  Like God does.

Forget

…then He adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17 ESV)

Forget

A few years ago, we paid off a home mortgage.  The bank did not continue to send me notices and reminders to pay the monthly installments.  The debt was forgiven, and therefore was forgotten.

A few years ago, I was cited by the police for driving my car without proper insurance.  Not only did that infraction remain on my record for a time, but my insurance company increased my rates.  But a couple of years later, my record was cleared, and the insurance company went back to billing me normally.  My crime was forgiven, and therefore was forgotten.

A few years ago I failed an exam while in college.  I was embarrassed, disappointed, and motivated to overcome that F.  By the end of the semester, I was able to raise the class grade to an A.  It was not an A, with a sub notation of a hidden F.  My laziness was forgiven, and therefore was forgotten.

But somehow, we often decide that the VERY expensive payment God made (the death of His Son) to procure our forgiveness, is not really forgotten.  We fear He keeps score.

But He does not. 

The debt of sin is forgiven, and therefore forgotten.

Not forgotten just because God feels like forgetting, or alters His divine memory, or is only sort of forgotten, but is more like a hidden grudge.

But God absolutely forgives, to the same degree that His Son, Jesus, pays for our Sin.  Absolutely.

He does not remember, because Christ’s payment completely paid.

God does not remember, because there is nothing to remember.

Well-worn Paths

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18 ESV)

Well-Worn Paths

It usually seems that the well-worn path is the easiest to follow.  But that ain’t necessarily so.

In a suburban woods near my childhood home, my best friend and I used to ride our bikes.  The paths we followed wove around hills and trees, and hardly followed the mathematical definition of a line.  (A line is the shortest distance between two points…)

Occasionally, my friend, perhaps realizing how much energy and time we wasted every day on our way to our fort, noticed that if we went off-path to the left, instead of following the path to the right, we would arrive quicker, and probably easier.

But we could not make ourselves do it.  The age old path was known, familiar, and well-travelled.  It therefore seemed automatically easier.

One day a tree had fallen across our path, and we were forced to blaze that new trail.  And sure enough, that new path was direct, smoother than we thought, and fast.

Our grudges are like that well-worn path.  Our original anger or hurt that led us to feel we had the right to hate becomes simply what we are used to.  We stopped noticing the time we spend grudging, the energy we spend grudging, the harm we do everyone grudging.  The harm we do ourselves grudging.  And especially the disobedience to God we display when we grudge.

God says there is a better path.  Forgiveness.

And He is an expert on that path.  He paved the way.

Turn left.

When to Forgive

And whenever you stand praying, forgive… (Mark 11:25 ESV)

When to Forgive

My inclination is to eat whatever I want, whenever I want.  I know better.  Health is more important than my physical satisfaction.  But it is hard.  I have grown so used to doing what I want when it comes to food.

And sudden bursts of restraint, or turning on ‘good behavior’ do not cut the mustard.  Eating right is a constant sort of thing.  If I expect the benefits of better health, I get to change my perspective about food.

And it works the same way with forgiveness. 

God does not forgive His people in fits and starts.  Jesus did not turn on the forgiveness switch, and turn it off on other days.  Forgiveness is a perspective that God, in His grace and love, always always always had, has, and will have.

The peace, honesty, and joy that comes from forgiving occurs when we forgive always… when we have an attitude of forgiveness instead of an attitude of anger, justice, and grudges.

Jesus teaches this when He instructs us to forgive whenever we pray.  Every time we pray.  Always when we pray.

Yes, it is difficult.  But prayer founded on forgiveness is like Christ’s praying.  Prayer founded on forgiveness forges humility.  Prayer founded on forgiveness creates peace even when we are not praying.

Paul tells us to pray without ceasing… in these terms, it also means forgive without ceasing.