2 posts tagged “vital”

For the past three days I have explored in this space Jesus' parable of The Unmerciful Servant.

Now I am ready to explore it further by considering the question, Am I forgiving? This is a question that every believer must ask, because it is something of vital importance to Jesus.

He taught, simply, that our forgiveness from God is great. Then he linked, forever, God's forgiveness and our forgiveness of others.

If God has forgiven you, you should forgive others. For by the measure of your forgiveness of others, you will be measured by God in the last Day.

The Unmerciful Servant parable should give one pause to ask the question, Am I forgiving? Do I really "walk the walk" of actually forgiving others, repeatedly?

We are to forgive others not just seven times, but seven times seventy. That's a very large number. Who would keep track of each instance of forgiveness? No one would, is the answer. The number of times we forgive others is so large that we can be sure it was Jesus speaking in hyperbole (exaggerated comparison) again, to make his point.

I am still thinking about Jesus' teaching in this parable. I am beginning to soften my harder edges and give people around me more benefit of a forgiving spirit. I am going to need God's help in this, because if I try to do it merely in my own strength, I know I will often fail to be forgiving.

Notice that it is not just the act of forgiveness that Jesus demands, but to be forgiving of others "from the heart."  That means the decision is made in our minds and hearts before it is ever played out in our lives. On the other hand, it is possible to re-train our spirits by just taking action, even if the feeling of forgiveness is not yet in our hearts. At least then we are taking a step in the right direction.

Feelings sometimes follow our actions.

Today, and tomorrow, and for the rest of my life, I pray that God will help me become a more loving and forgiving follower of Jesus Christ, as a pastor, a husband, a family member, neighbor, and fellow believer.

It's a start. God's still working on me.

Will you make a similar commitment, today?

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Psalm 149:1

I like to sing. I have sung in choirs. I have sung solos. I have been in quartets. Singing lifts the heart and spirit. Singing take you to a higher plane of life.

The psalmist urges us to praise Lord. How do we do that?

Sing to the Lord a new song.

When I was in seminary, I learned in worship class that altar flowers should be fresh, not artificial. "Living flowers for a living Lord." It made sense.

It makes sense that my song should be fresh and new each day, too. "New songs for a God who loves the fresh and new."

It reminds me that God's favorite activity is being creative. God's always up to something new.

We stay young and vital when we remember that about God, and about ourselves.

We're made in God's image. We're made to be creative.

So today, I will sing God's new song.

I will fulfill the purpose for which God made me.

Praise the Lord!