Forgiveness

Last week we talked at Creekside about "Accountability." It is a tough subject for all of us. Being accountable, as we learned, makes us open and vulnerable. It causes us to be totally honest with God, ourselves, and others. It's not comfortable, but there is another word that will make it not only bearable, but healing. The word is "forgiveness."

The community of Christ followers that God has called us to be has at the center of it the attitude of love and forgiveness. We can only be this way because God has been that way with us. Reminds me of the verse that says, "We love Him because He first loved us.

When we have open forgiveness, we will have open accountability. They work hand in glove. Without fostering an atmosphere of forgiveness, people allow one another to go on in the life we live without being accountable. Fear is too great when we expect to be punished for being honest.

James tells us to "confess our fault one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed." (James 5:16) What freedom that concept brings to our lives!!

I want to challenge all of us to be more open and forgiving to one another within the community of Christ and without. By doing this we will encourage the family of Jesus to be open to one another and we also will reach those outside Jesus by the example we set before them.

I Was Blind!

The story of the blind man in John 9 is one of my favorites. Jesus heals a man born blind in order that God might be glorified. Some marveled at the miracle but others tried to use it as an opportunity to destroy Jesus and His ministry.

I like the attitude of the blind man. After the Pharisees said the Jesus was a sinner, the blind man said in John 9:25, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see." Simple faith is a beautiful thing.

Later, his parents would decline to speak on his behalf because of fear. Their fear was centered in loving the traditions and commands of men rather than sticking up for God. They did not want to be cast out of the religious establishment of the day--the Jewish synagogue.

Which do you choose, simple faith or fear of the establishment? It is interesting how many people I meet who are tired of the "churchianity" that exists in our world and how few there are who will actually do something about it in their own lives. I've been there and still fall into "default mode" many times.

It is so important that we be patient with one another. We need to be given a break and need to return that to others as well. In saying that I end this BLOG with a prayer.

God help me to see You. I want to be like the blind man, Lord, and have simple faith, but I keep refusing to see. So many times my lack of faith is because of a fear of man. God give me boldness to stand for You. Fill us with Your Spirit that we might overflow with You!