Sep 29, 2017
Our culture makes a pretty big deal about being able to forgive oneself. A quick google search shows an endless string of quotes and encouragements about doing just that. In general, the reasoning is that you can't go on forever beating yourself up over past mistakes. You must forgive yourself and move on. It seems like a reasonable philosophy. But I just can't locate it in the Bible. We established pretty clearly in our previous times together that forgiveness of others is essential - commanded - for Christ followers even when it is difficult. But not forgiving ourselves. So does this mean that God wants us to go through life despondent over past sins? That would seem really cruel.
Sep 29, 2017
In the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman, the lead character, Zack Mayo is in Navy Officer Candidate School. His drill instructor is dead set on washing Mayo out. During one famous scene, the drill instructor is making Mayo do pushups in puddles, spraying him in the face with water while he does sit-ups, and generally trying to break his spirit so that he voluntarily dropped from the program. Finally, as drill instructor yells "why don't you just quit?" Mayo cries out - "I got no place else to go!"
Apr 19, 2017
I had a friend who used to say stop signs with white borders were optional. Just in case you've never paid attention to it, all stop signs have white borders. Sometimes our approach to forgiveness is like my friend's approach to stop signs. You can treat it as optional and ignore it. But, like running a stop sign with a white border it will have consequences. Most of us are aware of the physical and emotional toll un-forgiveness can bring. But how many of us are aware of the full extent of the consequences with God when we refuse to forgive? Check out what Jesus said about forgiveness: