I do my best to avoid political topics when I write these posts because, frankly, they are way too emotionally loaded and I believe heart issues and spiritual matters are much more important.  I have noticed that few people change their minds when they read political views that differ from their own; more often than not, varying opinions just seem to make people angry or they support self-righteousness.

That being said, it has been interesting to watch this past week as retail giant, Costco, announced that they were pulling the book, “America” by conservative author Dinesh D’Souza, from their sales shelves—interesting timing as the documentary based on the book was just released in theaters.  I added my voice (e-mail, actually) to the many who protested this decision—my intent was to express concern about an American’s right to freedom of speech and questioning their purposes in no longer offering to sell the book.  No anger.  No threats.  Just a short statement expressing my concern.

Happily, the company reversed their decision and will continue to sell the book; however, it appears that the controversy has not ended.  I noticed one conservative radio personality calling on people who are planning to buy the book, NOT to purchase it from Costco because of how this situation played out and the response (and motives) of Costco management in resuming sales. 

I recognize that not all conservatives are Christians and not all those professing to be liberals are atheists; however, this situation brought to the center of my thoughts something that has been sneaking around the edges for a while now—our responses, as Christians, to those who disagree with us.  I have read as much hatred and condemnation coming from “Christians” as that issuing from the mouths and computers of those who do not believe in the grace and mercy of the Son of God.

How can we, as Christians, expect pure motives to come from the management of a billion dollar company when we are not able to generate them ourselves?  Jesus quoted Isaiah, saying, “‘these people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  He goes on to explain, “‘those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man…’” (Matthew 15:8-9, 18-20).

It has taken me a long time to recognize that when I deny my sin and all that my human nature encompasses, I also deny my need for a Savior.  The apostle John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8, 9). 

I cannot begin to tell you how easy it is to set up a “righteousness standard”, place myself (rather highly) on it, and compare the lives and actions of others to my judgment of righteousness, how they measure up and where they should be, in my estimation—sort of like the attitudes of the Pharisees when Jesus walked the earth.  One of the problems with doing that is that it violates Jesus’ command to, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged.  Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

We are so quick to condemn!

…without observing our own hearts. 

Jesus taught that murder is more than an action; it is a heart attitude, as is adultery, as is the way we speak to or about others.  He continued His teaching with these words:  “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44, 45).

I titled this post “Forgiveness” because that is what I am writing about, not self-righteousness, not judgment, nor sin (though they seem to figure in quite noticeably).  Sometimes it seems as though we have difficulty letting go of the differing viewpoints, the errors in judgment, the sins, or the imperfections of others—our words and our attitudes bear out a spirit of unforgiveness, even when the perceived offenses are not directed towards us.  It is so much easier to condemn or curse those who oppose Christianity or our closely held conservative beliefs instead of blessing them or praying for them!  Jesus taught, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14, 15).  It is so much easier to forgive when we remember just how much God has forgiven us through Jesus Christ!

Hanging from the cross, Jesus looked at the broken people beside and below him, the religious leaders, the soldiers who cast lots for His garments, who pounded the nails into His hands and feet—and he saw the multitudes of people throughout the centuries who would do the same—He saw you and me; and he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking

Be put away from you, with all malice.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,

Forgiving one another,

Even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31, 32