Rodent Regatta

”Do unto others…”

”Love thy neighbor…”

Unfortunately, the worst enemy of Christianity is often the well-meaning Christian who has a distorted or partial view of God’s instructions to us. Elevating some portion of those instructions (i.e. one verse) over others, these people manage to do great harm to themselves and those they touch. When called on this selective participation in their faith, they respond, ”We are, after all, only human!”

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Nehemiah. Nehemiah 9:17 says this:

”They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17 New American Standard Version

>From the prodigal son to the unmerciful slave in Matthew 18:21-35, we see God’s definition of forgiveness. It’s so different from what many Christians practice. We don’t dare allow another to appear to have ”the upper hand” or to wrong us without lasting retribution.

The notion of ”wiping the slate clean” simply outstrips our limited minds. Our losses are enormous, and they mount with each failure to fully forgive. Yet, through it all, we must continue to love. Each of us has fatal flaws. Fortunately, we have God’s mercy shielding us from the swift justice we often deserve.

There’s a grief that can’t be spoken.