-Strength for Today- "Forgive Them." - Luke 23: 34

   At one time or the other we’ve all come to the realization that people with which we’d attended church for many years were not:

·       Our friends, but

·       Our Enemies.

    No, they don’t wear disguises like we see on “television”, or at the “movies”.      

These enemies are familiar, because they’re members of our “extended family.” Matter of fact, you’ll find yourself in an awesome arena where Sunday:

·       Praise and

·       Worship,

    Is the driving force,  and you find comfort in the outward opportunity of socializing with some of the “church members” throughout the week.

But as time goes on, you’ll begin to notice that some of the leadership is beginning to “woo” some of the people with their “not-quite-kosher theology” about the, “Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ”. And from this, seeds of division begin flourishing in this environment. And in response to this rumor are being circulated, and many of the congregation “stop showing up for the services”, or just “simply walk away”. And those left behind are those who’ve become:

·       Devastated, by the

·       Disrupted, and

·       Damaged relationships.    

    And after years of intense “non-biblical drama”, many of these fellowships halls all over the world close their doors. But during these times, instead of “human dogma” being on the forefront, there should be Holy Spirit conviction on the sin that has torn the congregations apart. Gossip, instead of prayer is usually the “crux” that determines separation.

   But all of us have a part to play. Every believer must own up to their sins, (1 John 1:9), because acknowledging and confession of sin helps us to recognize the tendencies we have to “wound” our relationships with others and with God. And because of the Holy Spirit convicting power, we can see that there were sinners on both sides of the intractable conflict.

    As Jesus suffered and died, He interceded from the cross for both His

·       “Accusers” and

·        “Friends”.

    This included people like Peter, who acted in that moment as His “enemy”. When Jesus uttered those piercing words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus managed to utter those penetrating words through bleeding, cracked lips, swollen from the noonday sun. Impaled on that cruel, Roman cross, He interceded on behalf of His enemies.  from the:

·       Few frightened followers witnessing the horrors of His execution, to

·       The ones who drove the spikes through His wrists and feet,

    To the ones who’d declared Him guilty. He was interceding for you, and me.

So right now, I invite you to stand all alone at the foot of the cross, look up to Him, and deliberately release it all. See Him hanging there, bleeding and dying, and embrace His forgiveness, for you and for your enemy. By forgiving, you're not condoning their sin. You're simply leaving that to God. That's His sod to mow, and not ours. That's grace. And you can offer it to others because you don't deserve it either!

Author: PLez Lovelady, PhD