There is an old expression that’s often ignored, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”. Someone I know and his family suffered several significant tragedies, and each time I helped them get through it.
What did he do? He bit the hand that fed him.
This guy was at one time heavily involved with church but recently went off the deep end and started taking drugs and heavily drinking. It was only a matter of time that he abandoned his family. His entire demeanor has changed for the worse and now he’s acting like a complete idiot.
I tried to counsel him a couple of times, but he rejected it; consequently I’ve “shaken the dust off my feet” and dusted him off, (told him I didn’t want him coming around me or my property anymore). Now he’s in a rage and saying bad things about me.
So the Bible tells us we should forgive those who sin against us. Should this be carte blanche? Should we forgive and forgive and forgive regardless of someone’s behavior.
The Bible tells us to turn the other cheek.
Gr-r-r-r-r-r I don’t want to turn the other cheek; I want to slap his.
Sir Walter Scott had difficulty with the idea of “turning the other cheek.” But Jesus’ words took on special meaning one day when he threw a rock at a stray dog to chase it away. His aim was straighter and his delivery stronger than he had intended, and he hit the animal and broke its leg. Instead of running off, the dog limped over to him and licked his hand. Sir Walter never forgot that touching response. He said, “That dog preached the Sermon on the Mount to me as few ministers have ever presented it.” Scott said he’d not found human beings so ready to forgive their enemies.
I imagine Sir Walter could have been talking about me when he made that statement. I get all hung up on thinking about all of the things I did for this man and his family and now he’s working day and night cursing me to anyone and everyone who will listen. It makes me want to go over to his house and thump him one.
Yikes! What if I broke his leg and he licked me?
Sick . . .
I look to Jesus when faced with serious matters. I remember the parable in Luke 15 when Jesus used this illustration: “If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
So with God no matter how serious the sin, He is always seeking us out and is willing to forgive and forget our sins and give us a fresh start. As long as we live, it is never too late to ask for forgiveness and make a new start! We should emulate Him.
I thought this morning and remembered that there is an unpardonable sin, (one that God will not forgive) mentioned in the Bible; blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I believe this to be the rejection of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.
Hmmm . . . Is there an unpardonable sin that someone can commit against us?
I don’t think so, I think I’m just grasping for a way to continue with my unforgiving attitude towards him.
But there is one verse that might help guide us when dealing with someone who is acting like my buddy, (see below). We can never explain the deep things of God to those whom we know to be wallowing in sin. It’s impossible to discuss the great things that God has done for us to the profane, furious, persecuting nuts that harass us and try to make our lives miserable. This is not to say that we cannot and/or should not pray for them and ask God’s help in reaching them, but perhaps keeping a little distance is still in order.
Matthew 7:6
“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
October 17, 2013 – Click here to listen