Picture the law as a person in your life. How would he interact with you, and what role does he play? Do you imagine the law, as a person, will protect you? How can he? His strength is not his own. Indeed, this guardian is generally older and of little use elsewhere. This law keeper safeguards the limits; and, when transgressed, administers rightful punishment dictated by justice.
Many people have suffered extreme traumas at the hands of others! They can testify to how offensive this call for forgiveness is. Jesus tells us to pick our cross and follow him. What does Jesus obtain for us on the cross? Forgiveness. How do we know? He bodily rose from the dead.
There is more to forgiveness than its legal aspects. And more manifestations than just the act of mercy. God beckons us to pursue forgiveness in our lives because of how good forgiveness is to us.
God’s forgiveness is like a blossom,
Its beauty bright; its fragrance awesome.
For Mercy’s glory is beyond compare,
And to the cross, it takes us there.
Forgiveness is an ever-elusive Christian virtue. Especially among Christian circles. I’m confident you know that gregarious, bubbly happy Christian who jumps at the chance to forgive people thus trying to upend my syllogism. I am not that person.
When we look at Jesus, we lose the fear that keeps us from seeing that we need to help. Those who seek help, first see the need. Confession between you and the Father is where all of this begins. When we look to the Holy Spirit, we sense wholeness started. With the Father, our faith broadcasts future hope when God makes all things new.
Whenever I hear the phrase “Spiritual Discipline” I shudder. Even more so, I find myself revolted almost to the point of nausea, spiritually speaking – that is. Let me explain before you put your finger down your throat and say “gag me.” I find the term an oxymoron, as if we can just discipline ourselves…
Here are three links that have interested me as I’ve thought about the validity and issues behind having a multi-site church. The first is a friendly jousting between Mark Dever, Mark Driscoll and MacDonald. It is a short video. The second video is about an hour-long and it is a panel discussion done at Southern…
Today is a special anniversary, one I will never forget – October 27, 2009 will always be a special day for me. Indeed, it is a day I reckon as an anniversary. For it was on this day last year that I was laid off. Why is this good news? It is good news because…
Nine years after 9/11 and it might as well have been yesterday considering all the emotional turmoil that has been blown into the atmosphere by the political-religious implications of both a mosque being built near the site of the attacks as well as a pastor from Florida wanting to burn the Quran today as some…