Set Your Sights On Things Above
We so quickly get our eyes off God. Let's get back into
perspective.
perspective.
6/19/2015
From the Desk of Rich ChambleeI have been struck by the reaction of the survivors and family members of the massacre in South Carolina. In an unusual bond hearing, the judge allowed the victim's family members to speak beforehand. They called for forgiveness, saying, "I forgive you, may God have mercy on your soul." Many of those who spoke expressed very similar attitudes of forgiveness towards this monster. They were not advocating that he escape punishment for his acts, but that they were allowing forgiveness to enter their hearts, especially despite his racial motivation for the attack. It has been an inspiration to me that they show the love of Christ through their emotional responses, before their loved ones are even buried. I heard a commentator say that it was cruel of the judge to let victim's family members speak so early after the tragedy. But by allowing them to avail themselves of the grace of God so early in this tragedy, they can start healing earlier, and they can spread abroad the testimony of how Christ makes a difference in their lives, when it matters the most. In our own midweek Bible study this week, our group discussed how to have a testimony of Christ in a world that ascribes to no objective truth, and is hostile towards Christianity. I had a chill run through me when I thought of how this murderer sat amongst the church members for an hour, and then proceeded to slaughter them. The chill came because of how it could happen in our own Bible study. Would we have the same reaction of forgiveness towards him? I hope so. Here's the question I want to leave you with. Detractors of Christianity react to us as if we are dangerous, that we want to stone the gays, and string up the sinners. (Not true, by the way. We're just warning people that every person has to answer for their sin before God, including myself.) How different is the forgiveness of the murder of those Christians' families who were ambushed and killed, versus segments of the gay community that hunt Christians to provoke them to act against their conscience? Which world do you want to live in? A world where disagreement against the party line results in political persecution, and can change on a whim, or a world where disagreement is pointed out as in conflict with God, but love is shown? I know which one I want to live in. |
AuthorI'm Sherry Chamblee, aspiring author of Christian fiction, mom of six, wife to a cool dude, and caregiver to his granny. Besides that, I am just little old me - it's just a phrase, I'm not really old, honest. Check out my new release!
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