The above is taken from Through the Bible IV by Eugene Halliday.
Despite words of wisdom uttered by Christ, understandably, large swathes of the population have been lured away from Christianity because of the manner in which many churches have used it as a tool of subjection. It's been suggested that though the army is the right hand of the state, the church is the left arm. From imperial Roman times, Christianity has been put to this left arm use.
Science, meaning 'knowledge through study', has lifted us out of the darkness of churchianity. Knowledge is revealing to us possibilities that before were undreamt of. However, in the process, the abandoning of Christianity has also thrown the baby out with the bathwater. In the west we are now in the realm of pseudo-science, in which many scientists believe, because they've learned a few tricks with DNA, that they are qualified to conduct the course of human evolution.
"He came that we might have the forgiveness of sins"
This is a theme mentioned several times. Wherever forgiveness of sins is mentioned biblically, this is the exact phrase used.
Forgiveness isn't what you get when you enter the confessional and receive absolution from his 'vicarious representative' the priest. Forgiveness is a way of life that he showed us by His example. I believe that His reportedly marvelous healings were in part a result of this adherence to the concept of forgiveness.
Forgiveness has played a large part in my recovery from disease.
The most difficult person to forgive is oneself, but ultimately I believe even that is possible.
I come across that a lot at work, homeless people who loose it with you and then apologize and seek forgiveness for having lost their temper, or accuse you for some perceived slight. I always say there is nothing to forgive, as they are the living their lives and it is not for me to judge, or think that somehow I can bestow some kind of forgiveness on them. As you say, forgiving yourself is the hard thing, whether it is some shortcoming as a parent, or as a son, and obviously, as I am taking to you, a short coming when in the company of a beloved brother.
ReplyDeleteYes. There is a difference between judging as a condemnation, and judging as a discrimination. Discrimination has to do with sorting out the wheat from the chaff for ourselves, in order that we are fully informed to take the next step. Condemnation is pure negativity, an attempt, consciously or subconsciously, to dam up the other person's way of talking, of thinking, or feeling.
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