Why Forgive?

“I will never forgive him for what he did!” Have you ever said that to yourself about someone who deeply hurt you?    

When someone you trust lies, physically abuses, verbally intimidates, tricks or uses you – it hurts. It causes emotional injuries that swell up into resentment, anger or bitterness, which all have rooms at Hotel Unforgiveness.  Margaret Stunt once said that “unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” 

What are the options we have when someone has hurt us?  Should we just bury it, sever the relationship or plot some type of nasty revenge?  I believe there is a better way - forgiveness. When someone has hurt or injured us emotionally they instantly become a “debtor” to us and do not even know it. This means they owe us. They owe an apology, the effort to make things right or just something for the pain they have caused.

Here is the real challenge of forgiveness.  If we choose to forgive someone that means we choose to “write off” their debt.  We no longer demand they fix what we believe they broke.  Instead, we set the person free. 

Why should we forgive? First, because it is realistic and pro-active. In real life, the person who hurt us probably will not or simply cannot make things right on our terms. Therefore, forgiveness takes the first step, releasing the person, rather than waiting year after year. Second, forgiveness heals. It heals the resentment, anger or bitterness that surfaced in our hearts. It is a self-healing medication that we have the ability to administer our self. Otherwise, we will carry the injury for the rest of our life.

The ultimate example on how to forgive is found in God. You and I hurt God through our sins. They were an offense and angered Him. As a result, we became a “debtor” to God. Even so, in an act of amazing grace and mercy, He took initiative to provide a way for our forgiveness. He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the debt for our sins.

I pray that we can learn from God’s example. As He extended grace and mercy to us who offended Him, may we extend the same towards those who have offended us.Jesus said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). In Jesus, may you find forgiveness for others and hope for today.

America’s Defense

The United States was born in 1776. Since then America has been involved in over 40 wars and other military operations from the American Revolution, Iraq and Afghanistan wars to lesser known operations like the Banana Wars and Utah War. Over 1.3 million U.S. soldiers have died through all these engagements.

The brutality of war is seen at Arlington National Cemetery and other military cemeteries. If Americans explore their family linage they will likely discover relatives who died while taking up arms in defense of our country. In the midst of these cemeteries we might ask, "How can our nation truly be protected? When war takes life after life, who is left to defend when all is gone?"

America has always had two lines of defense. Our heroic soldiers and Almighty God. Our first President, George Washington, was also General Washington who led our nation’s first army in the Revolutionary War. In a letter he once wrote, "By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability and expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, altho' death was leveling my companions on every side." Washington knew if America was to succeed it required skilled soldiers and a military that trusted in God’s divine protection. He was so committed to this he took steps to create a military chaplaincy so America’s soldiers would walk in a manner worthy of God’s protection.

Centuries before Washington there was another great military leader who rose to lead his nation, King David. He also sought not just the skill of a soldier and effective weapons but of God Himself. He once said, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! (Psalm 20:7, 9).

Our history is rich, lined with stories about the providence of God in battle. What will our future look like? Is God’s protection always guaranteed? He is not beholden to one race, ethnic group, nation or tribe. Therefore, may our nation’s leaders and military personnel be a people who are worthy of God’s guidance and divine protection. May Jesus be our nation’s hope for today and generations to come.
    

World History's Two Greatest Events

The Gutenberg Printing Press was invented around 1440 having a huge impact on learning, communications and much more worldwide.  The United States Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, establishing a new form of government the world had never witnessed before.  These are two significant events in world history, but are they the greatest?  Here are my top two:  1) The incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth.  2) The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.  Let me explain.

The incarnation of Jesus occurred about 5 B.C.  The world still celebrates this annually through the Christmas holiday.  We remember how Jesus left heaven and came to earth in the form of a baby.  We remember the day when God clothed Himself in human flesh becoming like one of us.  It is the recognition of Jesus as fully God and fully man and the declaration of Jesus’ Deity.

The resurrection of Jesus occurred about A.D. 33.  The world still celebrates this annually through the Easter holiday.  We remember when Jesus suffered, died by crucifixion, was buried and after three days rose again and is still alive 2,000 years later.  Most importantly, it is the confirmation of Jesus’ Deity. 

Why are these two historic events the greatest?  Because they declared to the world in Jesus’ own words, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), which has become a beacon of hope for mankind across all culture and time.

Jesus’ Deity and proof of it declared He is the way.  All mankind is searching to worship something in an attempt to navigate through this world.  Jesus proved He is worthy of our worship.   

Jesus’ Deity and proof of it declared He is the truth.  All of us long for the truth, to know what is right and wrong and how to live a life free from guilt and shame.  Jesus proved He is the standard for truth balancing the scales of justice and raising the flag of morality in an evil world. 

Jesus’ Deity and proof of it declared He is the life.  All of us want the intangible things that money, power, success and possessions can never buy – life, real life.  Jesus proved He is the source and giver of real and lasting life. 

Experience history’s two greatest events.  Make them yours by trusting in Jesus to change you into a new person by simply calling upon Him in faith.  May Christ be your hope for today.