Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matt. 18:21-22 ESV)
One Job
I saw a picture of a some hamburger buns packaged in a hot dog bun bag, and some hot dog buns packaged in a hamburger bun bag. The label for the meme was, “You had ONE job!”
I laughed… that poor factory worker who pushed the wrong button…
Until I remembered that I am just like that factory worker.
When it comes to how God expects us to treat each other, we have one job. While it seems like there are many commandments, many requirements, many expectations, one job rises to the top.
Our one job is to forgive each other.
Just like God’s love for us is manifested most in his forgiveness, our love for each other is most clear in how easily, eagerly, or gladly we forgive other people… particularly Christians.
But we choose not to, and call our evil, good.
We don’t forgive because that jerk hasn’t apologized yet.
We don’t forgive because we aren’t sure they MEANT, “I’m sorry.”
We don’t forgive because she repeated the offensive act. Twice.
We don’t forgive because he doesn’t deserve it.
We don’t forgive because the hurt is too deep.
We don’t forgive because sometimes being angry feels too comfortable.
God forgives even when we haven’t apologized, or meant, “I’m sorry.” God forgives even when we repeat our sin. Twice. He forgives when we don’t deserve it. He forgives though we have hurt Him… we killed His Son. He moves away from His righteous and comfortable and just wrath… and forgives.
We have one job.
Forgive. Because we've been forgiven. :-)
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Jubilee Things
Wednesday 6:00 JubiWednesday! The first of our community presentations! DeAnne presents…
Saturday 7:00 Men’s Bible Study Breakfast at Jubilee
Sunday 10:00 Prayer Meeting
11:00 Worship!
July 6 Movie Night 7:00 pm
July 22 Jeremy Casella: The Living Room Show
Landscape Plans… consider and talk to Tom or a Deacon
Hobby in the Lobby will just be Hobbying for the summer… not booking. June 21, July 19, Aug 16. Book Club will return Sept 20.
Vacation Bible School… looks like August 15,16, and 17 in the evening. We need you! This will be grand!