Forgiven-ness
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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 13, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ –
Sunday we look at forgiving. Or is it forgiveness? Or is it forgiven-ness? Perhaps one of the most difficult concepts that we as people of faith are called to deal with.
We are supposed to forgive… and forgive… and forgive. But what if something has happened that is unforgivable? Is there such a thing for us?
There is so much to consider surrounding forgiving and forgiveness and forgiven-ness! First of all, community without forgiveness is impossible. As believers we are called “to settle our disputes with each other” (2 Cor. 5:18). We need to consistently forgive others and receive forgiveness from others or we’ll “give up in despair” (2 Cor. 2:7).
Whenever we are hurt by someone, we have a choice: will we focus on retaliation or resolution? The Bible minces no words about settling the score: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always tries to be kind to each other – and everyone else” (I Thess. 5:15). But in God’s economy that isn’t enough. We have to press into the very heart of the matter – “forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). I would say, jettisoning anything and everything that stands between us and God.
It ain’t easy. So what! With the continuing pandemic, raging infernos, continuing rancor, with the memories still fresh of the 9/11 horrors and the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, let us pray for and receive God’s gift of forgiven-ness.
Invite someone to watch with on Sunday–