"I forgive you...
[Who knows what's coming?]
... because God forgave me!"
Man... I feel annoyed when people say that.
I really do.
Why?
Because it's a Christian cliché.
And I hate Christian clichés.
Yes. You read correctly.
I hate Christian clichés.
I don't care how true said cliché may be.
Usually when I hear/read one, I find myself thinking, 'Oh please.'
[A rolling of the eyes usually accompanies this thought. Needless to say, I roll my eyes a lot while here at school.]
Sometimes I wonder if we even have the slightest idea what it means to truly forgive someone. Ope, there she goes again... critical, cynical Natalie [nice ring, eh?] - always pointing out faults and weaknesses and the tragedies of life.
"Forgive" me.
Ha.
Honestly, though.
GOD FORGAVE YOU OF ALL YOUR SINS.
Did you catch that?
The general concept of forgiveness is so meaningful and important... it began with the ideas of everlasting love, mercy, and grace. So is it truly so difficult to understand why I have my doubts as to whether we know what forgiveness is?
I don't know where to go with this.
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
February 25, 2011
April 26, 2010
Ch. 697 - Shame
I tend to withdraw from people whom I feel I have wronged in any way. If I begin to feel humiliated or ashamed by my words or actions towards someone, I do not desire to spend time with them, even if they don't realize how I feel... if they think nothing of it... or if they immediately say something along the lines of, "Hey it's okay... No big deal. I forgive you!"
It's even worse when I feel ashamed because of my words or actions toward my Lord God... what a terrible feeling. Yet He is even quicker to say, "I forgive you!" than those around me. He loves me so greatly. And letting myself feel ashamed only distances me from God and that love. Guilt and shame are destructive. Feeling loved and worthy of Him builds me up and encourages me to deepen my relationship with Him.
God is so good.
' "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'
[Joel 2:12-13]
Again, context... see what Bible college does to you?
Whatever. I'm over it.
It's even worse when I feel ashamed because of my words or actions toward my Lord God... what a terrible feeling. Yet He is even quicker to say, "I forgive you!" than those around me. He loves me so greatly. And letting myself feel ashamed only distances me from God and that love. Guilt and shame are destructive. Feeling loved and worthy of Him builds me up and encourages me to deepen my relationship with Him.
God is so good.
' "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'
[Joel 2:12-13]
Again, context... see what Bible college does to you?
Whatever. I'm over it.
December 7, 2008
Ch. 268 - Look to Forgiveness
Repent and ask for forgiveness.
We should be encouraging others, as well as giving constructive criticism. Sometimes that's what it takes for others to realize that they need to change and be forgiven by God.
It can be difficult to do this, that's true. But you have to think about it in terms of having eternal life. Step into that uncomfortable zone and call them out in gentleness and reverence - and maybe help lead them to repentance and salvation... or stay in the comfortably safe zone, and watch them pass by as an unsaved sinner.
The choice is yours.
'It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" - "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.'
[Mark 1:2-4]
We should be encouraging others, as well as giving constructive criticism. Sometimes that's what it takes for others to realize that they need to change and be forgiven by God.
It can be difficult to do this, that's true. But you have to think about it in terms of having eternal life. Step into that uncomfortable zone and call them out in gentleness and reverence - and maybe help lead them to repentance and salvation... or stay in the comfortably safe zone, and watch them pass by as an unsaved sinner.
The choice is yours.
'It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" - "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.'
[Mark 1:2-4]
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