Every time there is an incident concerning Israel, we begin to talk about the “end times”. Rightfully so.
Israel…Jerusalem…the Middle East…are central and instrumental to the second coming of our Lord,
Jesus Christ. The prophecies of things that must happen before Jesus returns all focus on the area of His
life and ministry.

I was studying in preparation for a sermon when I came across this quote from a well-known Calvinist:
“God gives life and He takes life. Everybody who dies, dies because God wills that they die.” I know that
God has, indeed, taken lives. The Bible gives examples of that. But every life? When a drunk driver
smashes head-on into another car and kills people…God did that? When a store clerk is murdered
during a robbery…God did that?

I know we were all surprised when Israel was viciously attacked by the terrorist group, Hamas. The
sickening carnage and horrific slaughter could only be perpetrated by evil, un-civilized, and depraved
people. I expected the massacre to be soundly condemned worldwide (with the exception of the
monsters that committed the crime and other Jew-hating nations). For the most part, that was true.
But even among the western nations, there were pockets of Palestinian sympathizers. What appalled
me the most, however, was the anti-Jewish sentiment in our own nation.

I’m writing this on the Monday after our 125 th Anniversary celebration and I’m still in a state of
amazement. It was a wonderful day, and it exceeded my expectations.

Have you noticed some companies advertising their products without ever mentioning
the quality or price of the products? Generally, companies will speak of their high
standard of quality and/or the low price…the value. Now, it seems, more and more
want to engage in “virtue signaling”: espousing a value or societal virtue that they feel
will draw customers to them…almost regardless of their product.

Have you noticed some companies advertising their products without ever mentioning
the quality or price of the products? Generally, companies will speak of their high
standard of quality and/or the low price…the value. Now, it seems, more and more
want to engage in “virtue signaling”: espousing a value or societal virtue that they feel
will draw customers to them…almost regardless of their product.

Forgiveness is central to our own salvation. If God refused to forgive us, we would all be without hope.
We have all sinned against God and our entire relationship is predicated on His willingness to forgive us.
We understand that…don’t we? If so, then Matthew 6:14-15 bears some serious consideration: “For if
you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if
you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Surely there is some scriptural gymnastics that allows us to interpret those verses in a way that will let
us off the hook about forgiveness. It surely can't mean forgive in all circumstances. Well…yes it does. It
covers all types of forgiveness in all situations. And forgiveness is tough! There are times when
forgiveness seems absolutely impossible.
I saw a news story about a young lady who was brutally raped and murdered. Her murderer was
convicted and executed. A reporter asked the mother of the murdered girl if she now had “closure”.
The woman replied’ “There can be no closure. I will hate him until the day I die. I hope he burns in hell.”
We understand that feeling, don’t we? We sympathize with that heart-broken mother. Who can blame
her for feeling that way? Why should she forgive a monster like that?
Let’s look at what forgiveness is and isn’t and what it accomplishes. First, don’t misunderstand that
forgiveness excuses the behavior of a person; it doesn’t make it right or acceptable. Quite the opposite.
Forgiveness acknowledges the wrongness of the act. And forgiveness doesn't mean you have forgotten
about the act. Our memories are of some things that stick with us…we can’t help it. So why does God
demand forgiveness from us?
Primarily, it aligns us with His character. He is the forgiver of all forgivers. We, with our sin, murdered
His Son on the cross. We are guilty of murder. And know this: We, as Christians, have the Spirit-fueled
ability to forgive such sin! We are capable of forgiveness. God does not tell us to do something that He
will not empower us to do.
Forgiveness also benefits us more than the one, or ones, forgiven. Forgiveness allows us to let go; turn
loose of an emotion that can easily overpower us and rob us of peace and joy. Un-forgiveness is driven
by anger and hatred. What a burden to carry around. I’ve heard it said that un-forgiveness allows
someone to live rent-free in your head. By forgiving someone you have taken away their ability to hurt
you even more.
And…the failure to forgive is a sin. Christian, you do not want to live with deliberate, acknowledged sin,
do you? Strive to forgive. Turn loose of destructive anger. Your life will be better off for it.
Say good things about your Savior and His church on this mountain!
 
Bro. Tony