Tag Archives: forgiving and forgetting

Mirror Mirror on the Wall Whose The Worst One of Them All

At some point in life, the older generation loses touch with societal trends.  I guess I have reached this stage in life, unable to keep up.  As Gen Xer’s like me give way to Millennials, one thing puzzles me.  Why is it that anyone who does not hold a secular worldview is demonized?  In fact, if you watch the news, late night comedy or political shows, these same individuals are made out to be the worst people on the face of the earth.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst, 1 Timothy 1:15.

From a spiritual perspective, conviction serves as a thermostat of the soul.  When the presence of a sin is made aware to individuals, there are three basic replies.  Confess and admit the error of your way, blame someone else or ignore it completely.  One of the catches to admission is that public scrutiny often follows can ruin your reputation.  Meanwhile, if you deny, deny, deny, your character and integrity will eventually be tarnished.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 John 1:9.

In Biblical times, prostitutes and tax collectors were thought to be the scum of the earth.  Today, some might suggest lawyers and politicians are high on the list of the least respected people.  Yet, it doesn’t matter what other people say about you or believe.  There is only one judge, Christ the Lord.  Therefore, as soon as a sense of guilt churns in your heart. come to Jesus to confess you sins.  When you do, God is faithful in forgiving and forgetting, always full of grace despite how often or great your sin.

by Jay Mankus

 

On the Other Side of the Fence

As cultures change, so does the vocabulary.  When you retrace the records of past societies, sometimes its difficult to understand where people are coming from.  However, if you can decipher practices by comparing and translating them into modern terms, history begins to makes sense.  This leads me to a portion of the Sermon on the Mount.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you, Matthew 6:14.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus refers to trespassing.  Today, boundary lines are drawn by stakes, fences or marked by do not trespass signs.  Borders serve as markers, clearly defining where you are allowed to go and what is forbidden.  However, curiosity, human nature and sin living inside of hearts cause individuals to venture over to the other side of the fence.  Jesus’ words highlight the inevitability of people trespassing against other individuals.

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses, Matthew 6:15.

The question is not whether you will do this, but how will you respond.  According to the context of the Lord’s Prayer, forgiveness is conditional.  Sure, no one wants to be violated by having someone trespass against your body, home or possessions.  Nonetheless, part of life is letting go, forgiving and forgetting.  Therefore, the next time you trespass on the other side of the fence or are trespassed upon, immediately confess your sin or ask God to give you a heart full of grace and forgiveness.

by Jay Mankus

 

Get Over It!

For 30 plus years, the national media has killed Philadelphia sports fans for booing and throwing snow balls at Santa Claus during an Eagle’s football game in the 1970’s.  With the eyes of the golfing world now on Merion Golf Club, just outside of center city, for this week’s 2013 U.S. Open, another story continues to drag on.  After a disappointing career up to this point, Sergio Garcia recently made an off colored remark toward Tiger Woods, trying to be funny at an news conference in Europe.  Like beating a dead horse, golf and sports analysts continue to bring this up over and over again, trying to stir up bad blood.  For now, can  everyone please move on and get over it?

In life, each individual has endured heartache, frustration and pain at least once.  Bitterness is often a natural response, left behind by someone or something from your past.  Although its true time does heal all things, scar tissue remains, brought to the surface by people, places or things.  If you fail to let go of these emotions, barriers will rise up out of the ground in the form of spiritual roots, Hebrews 12:16.  This obstacle will eat away at your soul, leaving behind division, friction and hatred toward others.  For your own good, I urge you to get over these events, Matthew 6:15.

At the conclusion of Scrooged starring Bill Murray, he confesses his sins to a live audience.  After evaluating his own life, Murray realizes that he has been a jerk, selfish and damaged by a poor relationship with his own father.  When you practice this kind of behavior, James 5:16, individuals can reclaim a sense of freedom.  Reaching this point is no easy task as thoughts of certain co-workers, neighbors or relatives may bring out the worst in you.  However, its time to bury the hatchet, to seek forgiveness or forgive anyone you haven’t been able to up to this point in life.  Whether its a former boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or relative, please for the love of God, get over it!

by Jay Mankus