Forgiveness

The season of Lent is here again. It comes every year to regularly remind us to think of our sins and ask for forgiveness from God. Along with this act is also the selfless forgiving of others who sin against us.

But why do most people find it hard to forgive? While we are taught that compassion is a good virtue, the process of healing from a damage done may not take instantly. The readiness to respite maybe influenced by reasons and intensity of the damage done. But in totality the action revolves around the character of humility.

We accept the fact that we all have once sinned. The way we accept and treat our own sins has direct relationship with how we treat the sins of others on us. Meaning, even though there is an accepted moral guidelines of how to treat errors, we still use our own meter stick. When we believe that we should be pardoned instantly from a simple lie, we practice it by granting apology to those who lie to us.

The problem arise when our judgment become one sided and self-centered. There are cases when we believe that cheating others could be a sin worth to forgive in an hour yet when we are cheated we condemn the person and even put on severe punishment before forgiving the sinner. Oftentimes the decision for pardon is based on the character of the sinner. Under the same circumstances we forgive our best friend quickly than a stranger. More often we pardon our friends easily than our family members.

But God is teaching us to be impartial. To treat everyone as equals. Jesus even gave quick pardon to the thief on the cross. In one encounters with the disciples, Peter asked Jesus "“Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” and Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times." (Mt 18:21-22).

Forgiving is a really good virtue. There is no limit; there are no conditions. If we only forgive those who forgive us. What difference we have with the criminals.

image from: www.artnsoulwrks.com
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The wine of life

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskin; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskin. And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, `The old is good'."(Luke 5:37-39)

Renewal requires a full change; a complete turn around by burning bridges. The path to righteousness is really hard because we are enveloped with easier and physically satisfying alternatives. These hinder the total conversion that we desire. But Jesus clearly stated, when we need to reap the glories of a renewed life, we should leave behind our old ways, sins and earthly desires alike, and live a new life completely or else we will "burst."

The last line of the verses tells us that many failed by accepting the notion that old ways are better without trying the new. Jesus promised, and many attested that life in Him is rewarding if you just believe Him hook, line, and sinker.

If you doubt, don't doubt without bothering to try. There's no harm in trying anyway. Have a relationship with Jesus now.

"Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise." Bertrand Russell
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Mediocrity

"...What word is this, for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they go out?" (Luke 4: 36).

The words of these verse clearly illustrates how Jesus has control even the evil sides of human beings. He promised we too can do the same even with a minute amount of faith. But when we see believers giving in to temptations of the world we would always say "to err is human".

Mediocrity is such a wretched virtue if a person accepts and have trust on Jesus. We heard the promise and we have seen the example. What needs to be done is hone it and have control. Just as Jesus can drive the devil out, we too can say no to temptations of the world.

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." Andrew Carnegie
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The secret to success

"... 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.'When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break."(Luke 5:5-6)

How many times in our lives we struggle to achieve what we dreamed of? We exhaust ourselves without reaching our desired outcomes. Yet, we do not accept the fact that there is the Giver just waiting to be tapped for help. We are arrogant enough to trust in our own capabilities.

This society is teaching us we are solely responsible with our fate. It is true. But the responsibility includes aligning our mind with the one responsible with our presence on earth. God leads us the way through Jesus Christ.

If you are in the middle of nowhere in your quest today, just call Jesus and He lights your path.

"When every ways seem to fail trust in Jesus and He will save your ship." Annon

image taken from: gbcdecatur.org
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