Happy Monday!
This weekend’s teaching on Luke 6:38 inspires today’s word-of-the-week…
FORGIVENESS
I’ve told you before about my unauthorized personal version of the bible. It’s called RUV—Rich’s Unstandard Version.
Occasionally I encounter a conversation with Jesus in RUV when I’m trying to make sense of words from the real bible.
Jesus and His friends are hanging out after a long day. Peter asks, “Can I ask you about that whole ‘seventy times seven’ thing?’” (Matthew 18:21-22)
Jesus says, “Of course.”
“Okay. I get that ‘seventy times seven’ was a metaphor. You’re telling us not to keep track, right?”
Jesus nods.
“But you said something today that’s really bothering me. You said, ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’” Luke 6:38
“That’s right. It’s one of God’s principles. You not only get what you give–you get more of what you give.”
The fire crackles as everyone lets that sink in. Finally John summarizes.
“So you’re saying if I forgive I’ll be freely forgiven, but if I judge someone harshly, even when they deserve it, I’ll be judged even more harshly.”
“That it.”
“But,” objects James, “what about someone who does something really horrible? Are you saying I should forgive even really terrible actions?”
Jesus pokes at the coals. As the flame illuminates the faces, Jesus looks around the circle.
“Do you think God ranks sins, that some are ‘better sinners’ than others?”
Heads shake slowly.
“It’s a principle. Give, and it will be given. With the same measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
Have a great week.
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