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Just Hold On A Minute

10/19/2015

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"The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps" Proverbs 14:15  
There was an article floating around Facebook this past week about how archaeologists had found the remains of an army at the Red Sea. I saw it posted by a few of my friends, but upon examination of the article it was clear that it was apart of a satirical news site. Many people were tricked into believing what this news site told them. It's easy to guess what happened, Christians were so excited about prospect of there being more evidence to biblical accounts that without a second thought they quickly shared the news site. If they had taken a few extra moments to verify, then they would have been spared the embarrassment of thinking a false site was speaking truth. It happens to us all, and perhaps more than we care to admit, and it is easy to do with the amount of information and the ease and speed one can communicate their thoughts. It takes roughly 5 seconds to share an article(depending on your internet connection of course) and have your thoughts known for all the cyber world to see. The one problem that I see with this, is that it has created an environment that produces more emotionally charged responses rather well reasoned conversations. People see something and post a reactions without taking the time to really think about what they are saying and or what are they really responding to. May times people can be responding to the emotion they felt while reading or watching something, rather than the content of whatever they read or consumed. Let me give you an example in my own life. When I read about the shooting that took place in Oregon, I was upset. I was upset about the loss of life, I was upset because the killer targeted Christians, and I was upset because I knew all the various ways this story would try to spun. If I had written something then and there it would not have been helpful to the situation. To be honest I at first wanted to blame those who constantly bash Christianity and accuse them of creating an anti-Christian atmosphere in which this killer was cultivated. Thankfully I stopped and did some more research, and learned more about the killer. I learned that there might have been some mental problems there, and there was a deep longing to be known, or famous. I am feel more confident to give much more reasoned response to this then my first emotional reaction. Another example would be the situation with Kim Davis. So many people responding out of emotion either for or against her, and/or her actions rather than taking the time to truly think about the situation. When act purely on our emotions we are no longer thinking critically, and so we become vulnerable to all kinds of deceit. This has long been a problem in Christianity which is why it is possible to have so many false teachers in the faith. Their words fill us with emotion and sound so good, but if we were to really consider what is being said and how it fairs against God's word, we would find these false teachers wanting. It is important that believers follow the wisdom in this proverb and give thought to their steps, not simply reacting to what happens around them. This is also true when it comes to internet sources which lead me to another issue for many today. Many people have a  lack of discernment when it comes to sources. For example, most college students ca tell you that Wikipedia is not a reliable source in terms of papers. The reason being is that at least of time of this post it can be edited by anyone. With the internet, some time, and a little knowledge of to write, one can make complete nonsense sound like well researched thesis to one who does not know any better.  It is important that one seeks to find balance sources from which to read from, sources that offer their view, plus an accurate presentation of an opposing view. Unfortunately many articles will only ever offer a straw man of what an opposing view thinks, and so this means one will have to read many things if they wish to be informed. This strikes right at the core of our being which wants to express our views right away, and maintain a sense of righteous indignation against our opponents, but the wise Christian holds their tongue until they can give a meaningful answer. 

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The Importance of Forgiveness

10/13/2015

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"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. be merciful even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:35
"For is you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."  Matt. 6:14
"And when he saw their faith, he said, 'Man your sins are forgiven you.'" Luke 5:20
"Jesus said, 'Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And the divided up his clothes by casting lots." 


Forgiveness is such an important concept in Christianity, that one cannot really have Christianity without it. As Christians we are dependent upon the forgiveness of God for sins, and in turn we are called to forgive those who have sinned against us. The verses above reflect just how Christ felt about forgiveness. He commanded it of His followers and he gave while on the cross. In recent days I have been thinking about forgiveness in my thoughts two questions have emerged, 1. Has culture at large lost the importance of forgiveness? 2. What would the world look like if Christians were more forgiving in family life, social media, and towards other Christians? Since becoming a pastor I have been much more involved in social media in an attempt network, and to stay informed, and as a result I have read a lot of comments, blogs, articles etc... I have seen people get into fights in the comment sections, I have seen responses that Christians give that honor Christ, and I have seen comments that make wish the person hadn't said they were a Christian. One thing I have not seen however is a lot of forgiveness. In fact in the culture at large I wonder if we have quietly dismissed forgiveness or only forgive when it is absolutely necessary. Of course in secular culture the concept of forgiveness is long gone. Someone can say something 30 years ago, and it could brought against them today, and not amount of apologies will ever make it better. People have to be so careful about what they and what they support because of this lack of mercy and forgiveness prevalent in secular culture. Is the same true for us Christians? I'm afraid when it comes to social media it can be. I have seen well meaning people show very little forgiveness when a pastor makes a mistake, and gives a wrong address for verse or perhaps uses a bad analogy that inadvertently teaches heresy rather than orthodoxy. This lack of forgiveness can also seen when Pastors, apologists, or lay Christians push back against the culture of death, there is can be more an attitude of take no prisoners rather than one of forgiveness and mercy. I believe that this is not demonstrating a Christ like attitude, and this is a blind spot for many Christians today. This not to say that this a blind spot for all Christians, but I do think it is for many, and I know it has been one for me. The reason why forgiveness has been put on the back burner for so many people is because forgiveness requires us to give up something that we don't want to give up and that is our anger. That is what forgiveness is, to stop being angry or resentful to an individual or individuals that have wronged you. This is loss of anger is not just that the dust has settled and you are not angry at the moment, but that you no longer have anger towards that person for their action against you. Anger is a powerful emotion, and it makes us feel powerful when we have it. The idea of just giving up our angry makes us feel weak, especially if we forgive a person before they have asked us for forgiveness. We must keep in mind however why it is important for us to forgive. The first reason is because our forgiveness of others points us and other people to the forgiveness that we have received from God. As Christians we have received God's amazing forgiveness for all of the times that we offend Him, all of the times that we sin, and so when we forgive others we are pointing ourselves back to that forgiveness we first received. The second reason is that holding a grudge is like holding a container of poison with a faulty lid. Your intention is to unleash it on the one that offended you, but it ends up doing damage to you. Holding a grudge hardens the heart and makes one bitter. I have known people who would no forgive and can see how their hard hearts effect every aspect of their life. It is not a pretty picture and so not forgiving someone will in the end only hurt you more than all the anger you would pour out on your offender would hurt them.  Because of the reality of the fall people are going to sin, and thus people in some way are going to offend and hurt us, just as we offend and hurt other people. The way to move forward is to follow in the foot steps of our savior Jesus Christ and forgive as we have been forgiven. What do you think? Do you have a story of forgiveness? Comment below and let me know. 
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