Another week has gone by in 2022 already. I was told several years ago that time seems to speed up once you hit 50. And it goes into warp speed when your kids get married and start their own lives outside your home. Well, it’s hit. Time is flying by, and it’s really hard to believe that we’re already in the middle week of January 2022. Man, when I was growing up, the year 2020 was when we were supposed to have flying cars, and UFOs would normally be transporting people back and forth to foreign planets. And yes, the Cubs were predicted to win the World Series in “Back to the Future-Part II”!! I remember being a teenager thinking that time stood still, and now as a 22-year veteran of 29 years of age ()… I’m standing still while time speeds by. But…what a time to be alive!
Sin’s effects:
Speaking of time flying by…I think we can all relate to what I spoke about Sunday. Sin’s effects on our relationships are real and hard. I’ve had close friends sin against me, and I’ve sinned against them. My wife and I have had sinful moments. And we, like you, have experienced deep hurt. We all feel it.
And our world feels it. The racial riots of the’ 50s-’60s, then again in 2020, reveal, again and again, sin’s effects on our world. Pundits, newscasters, and politicians all struggle with finding a lasting solution to sin’s effects, but no one has an answer. Thankfully, as we saw Sunday, God does.
Christ’s power and our role:
As we noticed Sunday, God came to us in the person of Jesus. His coming to us shows us how reconciliation works. The offended party goes, ready to forgive. In reality, Christ came to us to reconcile us to God and then empowered us to be reconciled to one another. We cannot be peacemakers, without the power of THE PEACEMAKER, within us.
We’ll talk more in the coming weeks about this to put “shoe-leather” on this idea and make it more practical, but let me just give you a quick thought that will help us. One thing that Jill and I have tried to maintain in our marriage and in relationships is two things: 1) stay current with each other and others and 2) keep short accounts. Here’s what I mean:
- Stay current…we try to live by a principle to “not let the sun go down on our anger.” With each other, we work hard at dealing with issues as they arise. We don’t “put it off until tomorrow” unless we both agree to do that, with a plan of resolving it. We try not to allow suspicions, frustrations, or misunderstandings to go long without dealing with it between us and others. And we encourage each other to do the same with other people. So, if I come home with a question about a person, Jill will very graciously, yet directly, tell me that I need to go talk with that person. And she reminds me to stay current.
- Keep short accounts…we try to live by the principle that “love does not keep a list of wrongs suffered.” This means we try to “forgive others in our hearts,” “let love cover a multitude of sins,” and we try to humble ourselves often by confessing sin to one another or others. So, if someone comes to one of us to seek our forgiveness, we want to be ready and willing to grant it. Further, we then work in our hearts and together to make sure that issue is not brought up again in bitterness or unforgiveness.
This coming Sunday, Lord willing, we will study 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 to see how Jesus helps us in this ministry of reconciliation. Then the following Sunday, we’ll study Luke 17:1-5 to understand biblical forgiveness and how that’s acted out. And then, after that, we’ll study Matthew 7:1-5 about the plan that Jesus gives us to help us maintain relationships that honor Him.
One last thing: if there are questions you have about this subject, please don’t hesitate to send them our direction. We want to serve you.
From the Cheap Seats:
- What a Sunday of NFL football! I totally respect the Raiders (I never thought I’d say that) for going for the win. John Madden would’ve loved it. A few questionable decisions by the Chargers Head Coach, but the guy took full responsibility and gave his reasonings.
- Justin Herbert…wow, that guy looks like the right guy to build a franchise around. So impressed with him on Sunday night. I mean, how many 4th and longs did that guy convert?? And then with .02 seconds on the clock to throw that pass to tie it?? Unreal.
- I moved to Oregon in 1994, right in the middle of the 49ers and Cowboys rivalry. It kicks off again this coming Sunday at 1:30 with the Niners going to Dallas for a playoff game. I can’t wait.
- Now, one thing I’m keeping up with as January turns to February is the MLB lockout. There is nothing like the mid-February “pitchers and catchers report” day that feels like baseball, spring/summer, and it’s just around the corner. Let’s hope they get it figured out in time. I’m getting itchy for some baseball.
I thank God for you and pray that your eyes are turned toward your King Jesus this week.
In Christ,
Dave York
