Pastor's Ponderings, October 14, 2019

To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine

“All people commit sins and make mistakes. God forgives them, and people are acting in a godlike (divine) way when they forgive. This saying is from 'An Essay on Criticism,' by Alexander Pope."   Recently, a former policewoman, Amber Guyger, was found guilty of murdering an innocent man, 26 year old Botham Jean. There has been a lot of criticism of the judge, the court personnel, the victim’s brother and her overall positive treatment.

Yet the Bible says that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).  Although we may declare that we have and never would do anything as heinous as this, God declares that any and all wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:17a). In spite of the world’s continued disobedience to Him, God loved the world so much that gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for all of our sins, past, present and future (John 3:16). 

While many angry words have been said over this case, the Bible tells us to go in another direction. We are to rid ourselves of bitterness and anger (Ephesians 4:31).  We are instead to be kind and compassionate and forgiving each other as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). Let us forgive each other, even the persons in this courtroom, since Christ has already forgiven us for all of our disobedience to God.

Romans 3:23
New International Version (NIV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 John 5:17a
New International Version (NIV)

17 All wrongdoing is sin, …

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 4:31, 32

New International Version (NIV)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.