Observation

After witnessing some behaviors from local candidates {and their family members} in our local elections, I had a thought. Perhaps this thought is a direct result of reading the letter written by Paul to Philemon this past week. People often say politics brings the worst out in people. Unfortunately the body of Christ is not exempt from displaying such offenses.

Prior to Repentance

Do you remember life before you decided to follow the Lord? Have you struggled with a past of wrong doings? Did it haunt you in your daily life? Did it haunt those quiet moments alone in your own thoughts? Have you known anyone weighed down by sin, guilt and shame? Have you ever been in a place of darkness without hope; brought to your knees in tearful anguish?

I recall instances in my life when the heaviness of sin was just too much to deal with. The offenses of my youth impacted my life in the natural and spiritual, bringing regret. Sometimes the feeling of a life ruined can be the result of regret, leaving us with low self worth.

That Moment

Often the hardest part of coming to God and asking Him to have control over your life is our pasts. It is hard to comprehend the love of God. It’s the kind of love that forgive us and provides a clean start. Maybe we sit in church and hear the pastor talking about forgiveness. Perhaps we have a family member or friend telling us about God’s forgiveness. It is hard to grasp a new life that God is waiting to give us. That realization literally took me to my knees begging God to forgive me. As tears fall from our eyes, and heaviness lifts from our hearts, all of heaven rejoices. It is a game changer for all of eternity.

Conduct Unbecoming

This week I read a comment that disturbed me, written by the wife of a local political candidate. The effort to secure her husband’s election at any cost was shocking. Allow me to elaborate. The task of ruining a reputation over a mistake, made as a juvenile was in full force. Reading the comments, it’s evident that others are now being falsely accused of a cover up. These are the consequences of manipulation and gossip. This situation is damaging to the core principle of the Bible. There is no justification in exploiting past sins of our brother and sisters. It mocks the finished work of Christ on the cross, and God’s grace in repentance. The most grievous of the act is that a person may be struggling right now, witnessing this condemnation.

Final Thought

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 

{Ephesians 4:25}

If God forgives and forgets, who are we not to? I would not want to be responsible for such a thing, as it could have eternal consequences. I pray that her husband stands in his authority of the household, and has her do the right thing. We are in a time where it is critical that we begin to unite, and stop being thirsty for the demise of those we will spend eternity with. God is calling us to prepare for His return, and we must be found without spot or wrinkle. Will we stumble in our journey with Yeshua? Yes we will, but we must quicken our hearts to the things God, and get about His business.