Author: Elaine

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A few more words on forgiveness and grace

Just a few hours after I published the previous post on turning the other cheek, I picked up a novel that I’d started to read months ago but had never finished. Getting into the story, I realized it was on exactly this subject, grace and forgiveness. A man has lost everything–wife, home, business–and he has much to forgive. Unfortunately, he doesn’t even feel the need to forgive until he meets several people who teach him.

Here are a few well-written thoughts from The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans:

The Holocaust survivor says,

“We chain ourselves to what we will not forgive…should a Holocaust survivor chain himself forever to Hitler and his crimes? Or should he forgive and be free?”

On grace, the author notes:

And, if we travel well, we will become as grace and learn the lesson meant from the journey, not to dismiss error, but to eagerly forgive the err-er, to generously share the balm of mercy and love for, before the eyes of Heaven, we all walk as fools.  And the more we exercise our portion of faith, the better we receive it.

Generously sharing the balm of mercy and love, may we, as His beloved children, imitate our Father in all we do!

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Turning the Other Cheek

A man and a woman lived in paradise. No conflict marred their relationship and everything they needed was supplied. They even had a special friendship with the King, living in a perfect place He had provided, sharing intimate times of friendship with Him.

Until one day. That day, someone asked, “Did God really mean what He said?”

All of us now live with the consequences of their debate and reaction to that question. And the question still comes today, whispered into our minds by the same enemy — Does God really mean this?

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One of the things so wholly foreign to us humans, so utterly Christ-like that we cannot believe God really expects us to live it out is this command from Jesus:

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. (Matt. 5:39)

Surely God does not expect us to be so weak. Surely God does not intend that we let evil actions go unchallenged and unpunished. Surely God wants us to stand for what is right. Surely Jesus did not mean that when someone strikes us, harms  us, demeans us, takes advantage of us, then we are to give them another opportunity to do the same thing again!

Surely God does not mean what He said.

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A man dies in wracking pain, executed for wrongs he did not commit. But with the last breaths in his battered, bloody body, he utters this request: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Just a few years later, a lynch mob drags another man out of the city. As he falls under their blows, he prays, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.”

A man shoots ten young Amish girls. Five of the girls die. Amish and non-Amish alike, families of the children and families of the murderer, the entire community—all are ripped open by the killer’s brutal actions. The Amish say, “We will forgive.”

God says, “Do not repay evil for evil. Love those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who work against you. Offer the other cheek also.”

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While I am asking God to show me how to live this, a friend tells me her story. She owns a summer home relatively secluded from neighbors. While she was away, someone broke into her home and stole from her. She knew who had done it, yet she did not accuse; the young man already had a record, but she did not file a report with authorities. She saw the young man as Jesus saw him, loved him as Jesus loved him. The end of the story? Like Zaccheus, he returned some of her possessions and paid her for those he had already sold and could not retrieve. And she turned the other cheek—now, she asks that same young man to watch over her home while she is away.

“Turning the other cheek,” she says, “is seeing others as God sees them.”

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Off the other cheek also. At one time, I thought this simply meant we were not to return injury for injury. We’re not to seek revenge. But let us be honest. If all Jesus is commanding us to do is refrain from striking back, then we still have a big problem—the anger within, the bitterness, a sense of injustice, perhaps self-righteousness, the need for punishment and revenge.

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.” (Matt. 5:39-41)

We’re not only to refrain from striking back, we’re to do good things for those who harm us! Jesus calls us to a new way of living, but we cannot live that way if anger and bitterness or a desire for revenge or insistence on justice soaks our soul. We can only live in this way if the Spirit gives us new hearts and new minds. We can only live in this way if we can see others with Jesus’ love and compassion.

I am far from understanding the depth of this command and far from being able to live it out consistently in my life. Every day, even in the little, day-to-day irritations and conflicts and misunderstandings, I must make a choice. I do know there are things in me that must die if I want to love others as Jesus loved me.

But I also know this–

Turning the other cheek means loving another as God loves us. Do we deserve His mercy and forgiveness? Do we deserve His patience with us? I’m ashamed that at times I still slap Him in the face; I do not always live a life worthy of the calling I’ve received (Eph. 4:1). Yet He sees me as a beloved child of His, with a new heart and spirit given by Him. He sees me as He intends to make me. How often has He turned the other cheek to me? Seventy times seventy times seventy times seventy?

How do I “see” those who strike me? Can I see them as God does? Can I see the plans He may have for them? Will I live by the Spirit of Christ and love and forgive them, rather than letting my natural human tendencies govern how I deal with them both now and in the future? They might very well slap me again; can I forgive 489 more times? Will  I forgive 489 more times?

Turning the other cheek brings God’s grace into both lives. Whether it be enemy who harms me or friend who disappoints me, if I turn the other cheek I extend love, mercy, and forgiveness to the other person instead of anger and judgment. This is the calling given to the children of God; we are called to the ministry of reconciliation; we are called to continue Christ’s mission in this world, showing the world the mercy and forgiveness of God.

And I believe Jesus asks me to turn the other cheek because it’s part of God’s plan to change me, to transform me into the image of Christ, who has turned the other cheek to me and shown me His mercy and forgiveness so many, many times.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. (Eph. 5:1-2)

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All Scripture from the New Living Translation

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Chosen to do the impossible

From a rocky farm at the tip of the Point o’ Maine, ocean and sky look endless, especially to a Midwesterner who grew up knowing only creeks and ponds. As I stood and tried to imagine the dimensions of the sea, words of the old song about the love of God hummed in my head: “If we could ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made,” we could not even then have enough ink or space to write the depth of God’s love for us.

What does God’s love mean to you? How does God’s love change your life?

Here’s what God’s love means to me:

  • He forgives and forgives and forgives. He doesn’t keep a record of how often I’ve failed Him. He gave up His life for me before I knew Him. While I was still His enemy, He loved me and came to my rescue.
  • He loves me even though I don’t deserve it. What is it in me that makes me beloved by the Lord of the universe? Absolutely nothing. My human nature has proven that, time and again. He loves me only because He has chosen me to be His child and has chosen to love me.
  • He takes action in my life. He works for my good in everything. He leads me along right paths. He sees me through His eyes of mercy and love; He sees me as He intends to make me—full of the glory and image of Christ.

I know no other love like that. Do you? Amazing love. Contemplating the love God shows us fills us with joy, does it not?

Then other words come to mind, too, words from the one I call Lord. These are Jesus’ words:

“This is my commandment: love each other in the same way I have loved you” (John 15:12 NLT).

But here we stumble and balk. Yes, we even make excuses for not obeying this command of the one we say we’ve given our lives to. He asks us to love like God does? How does He expect me, in my selfish humanity, to do that? Father, you know how limited, how human I am; how could I ever love others the way You have loved me?

Yet Christ asks me—no, He commands me—to love like that. He has chosen us, He says, to do this. Chosen by Jesus Christ to do the impossible!

He takes it a step further… He doesn’t just want us to show love to others, He wants us to do it fully, abundantly, in a big, stupendous, astounding way – like a branch so productive that it hangs low with full, luscious, giant fruit.

But we are dried up, puny twigs with nary a green sprout. Without Him, we are nothing. Without Him, we will never be able to keep this one commandment that is so important to Him. Without Him, we cannot even begin to love as He has loved us.

No, we cannot love others as God loves us. And yet Jesus commands us to; and He promises His Spirit will produce that love, if we live in step with Him. His life will be lived out in us. We have been chosen for that!

“I am the vine,” Jesus says. “Remain in me, and you will bear fruit, so much fruit that God will be given much glory.” If we give ourselves to the life of the Spirit, we will see the fruit the Spirit brings. We will do the impossible, and only God will deserve the glory.

Will we believe what His Word promises? Will we live it?

I want to believe-live, Father. So I think again about how You love me, and ask You, Spirit, to teach me how to love others in the same way. I know I can’t do it on my own; only You can produce that kind of love in me.

I want the full, overflowing joy that comes to a life lived as You have commanded; I want my actions to reflect my love and thanks to You.

So don’t give up on me, Lord. (And I know You won’t!)

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Freed From Human Nature

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.

Joyful are those who obey His laws
and search for him with all their hearts.

They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in His paths.

You have charged us
to keep Your commandments carefully.

Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect Your decrees!

Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with Your commands.

As I learn Your righteous regulations,
I will thank You by living as I should!
(Psalm 119:1-7)

Doesn’t this sound like a wonderful, joyful way to live? Keeping the Lord’s commandments, walking only in His paths, our actions living out thankfulness and praise to Him. How wonderful to be able to say we have no shame or regrets when we compare our lives to His teaching. Are we living that life?

Or was there, instead, a little voice in your head that objected when you read those verses? Maybe a whisper, “Yes, but … it’s so hard. That sounds like a perfect life, but no one’s perfect.” Apparently David had those same thoughts, because his next promise and prayer is this:

I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!

A prayer for all of us!

I’ve been reading the red print in my Bible and thinking about the things Jesus asks me to do. It’s all pretty difficult stuff for us humans to live out. Here are some of the things Christ asks of those who have set their hearts and minds on following Him:

Don’t worry about tomorrow; trust Him completely to supply what I need.

Pray for people I don’t like and who don’t like me.

Turn the other cheek. (Does that mean when someone hurts me, I’m to keep myself open to being hurt again? Maybe even give them another opportunity??!)

Forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive and …

Bite my tongue and squash judgmental thoughts.

Have faith that mountains can be moved (mountains, mind you!)

Love God more than anybody or anything else.

Love others as much as I love myself.

Go into all the world and be a witness.

Keep all of His commandments. Yes, that’s what He said—“If you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.”

So, how are you doing with all those commands? Every single one of those things are too hard for me.

But I want to live that way.Oh, how I want to! David says people who live according to God’s Word live joyful lives and right living is our expression of thanks to God. Jesus promises, too, that living this way is a blessed life, it shows our love for Him, and gives us full and overflowing joy.

I pray David’s prayer: Oh, that I could do this consistently, Lord! Please don’t give up on me!

Because, of course, all of those things Jesus asks me to do are impossible. Impossible for me. Impossible, unless some power greater than myself enables me to keep His commands. And that’s the really, really, good news —

And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.)The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. (Rom. 8:2,9,11 My emphasis added)

Isn’t that amazing? The Spirit of God, with a power that can raise the dead to life, now lives in me, lives in you. Just imagine what that kind of power can do in our lives. But wait! (as the commercials say) There’s more!

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. (Rom. 8:12)

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (Gal. 5:16)

We have no obligation, no excuse, no reason, no compulsion, no necessity to live by our human nature. Wow. Just let that sink in for a moment. Do we believe it? Will we live by that promise of God?

Jesus asks us to live a life by the Spirit, not by our human nature. Galatians 5:17 says the battle between the two is always going on, but the Spirit is powerful and will give us the opposite of what our human nature desires.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and have crucified them there…let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (Gal. 5:24-25)

Jesus nailed my human nature to the cross and He frees me of its limitations!

Spirit, may your power give me the life Jesus wants me to live. I will obey, Lord Jesus. Please don’t give up on me!

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Words for today from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany

I’ve occasionally observed and sometimes participated in scenes such as this:

On a lonely highway through the Arizona desert, two cars, both bearing Ohio license plates, meet and pass; and occupants in both cars wave excitedly to each other. On the coast of Georgia, a dark blue Patriots hat greets a green Celtic sweatshirt, and they fall into passionate conversation on standings, season hopes, and trades. On vacation, a thousand miles from home, someone hears a familiar dialect and two people greet each other like family.

These people are strangers who meet while traveling, yet they have a bond, something that draws them together for a brief time and leaves both with a smile. They’ve encountered someone from home.

Citizens of heaven know such experiences as they travel through lonely deserts and strange lands. They meet someone from home, someone who shares the same Spirit and follows the same Lord, and they are refreshed and encouraged.

But how is it that we appreciate those encounters so much more than what we have at our doorstep every day of the week?

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, was born to a family of privilege, education, and status. Many doors of opportunity were opened to him in the first half of his life; yet when he chose to become a pastor and the Nazi regime slowly began to take away freedoms, the privilege of living in community with other Christians became a rare gift.

Bonhoeffer spent the last two years of his life in prison and concentration camps, and was executed by hanging because of his opposition to Hitler.

One of his many books is Life Together, and these quotes about the privilege of living among other Christians give us much to think about:

It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies.At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross, he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. 

So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. “The Kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared?” (Luther)

Bonhoeffer says that it is God’s will that “Christendom is a scattered people, scattered like seed” everywhere in the far countries of unbelievers. We are to be seed and light and salt. Christ had far more to say about going into all the world and making disciples than He said about life together in an organized, geographically static community.

It is a special gift and privilege to live “in visible fellowship with other Christians. It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing.” The physical presence of other believers is a “source of incomparable joy and strength”.

It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed.

All of these things were written before Bonhoeffer’s imprisonment. Before his seminary was forced to go underground. Before the most intense times of persecution and hardship.

My point is this: Our time of such gifts of fellowship may be brief indeed. Am I disregarding the gift, trodding it under foot? Let me be thankful for this gift of grace, Father.

Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.

Amen.

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All quotes from Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer