8 May, 2008
If You Got It---Give It
Charles Johnson took his problem right to the top. He was scheduled to lose his house in foreclosure to his mortgage lender, Bank of America last week. It would have put him and family (six children) out on the street with no place to live. So Charles boldly called the president of Bank of America, one of largest national banks, for a personal appointment. To his great surprise the bank president agreed to meet with him.
According to an unnamed bank source, at the conclusion of the appointment, the bank president was moved by Charles Johnson’s desperate situation and forgave the outstanding, overdue debt of $483,686 owed on the Johnson family mortgage.
In this time of increasing foreclosures, this forgiveness of a substantial mortgage is a remarkable act of compassion and mercy by a major financial institution. A family facing the loss of their home was saved from homelessness..
In a strange turn of events later that same day, Charles Johnson was arrested outside a convenience store near his home and charged with attempted assault on a man who Johnson said owed him $75. Eyewitnesses said Johnson was very angry and threatening violence while demanding payment from a former co-worker. They had worked together at a local Management Corporation until they were both laid off last November. No further details about Johnson and the alleged victim are available at this time.
Got forgiveness?
This week the DailyBide is examining the key attitudes and actions in personal relationships. Forgiveness is key to knowing God and long-lasting relationships.
...Jack Crabtree
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 6:12
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:15
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (ESV)
What does today’s God’s Story Scripture teach us about forgiveness?
Today’s story is as old as Jesus. He told it to let us know how ridiculous it is to not forgive others when we have been forgiven for everything we have ever done or ever will do. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. God’s command is absolute and crystal clear.
Forgiveness is something we decide to do. It is unconditional, not based
on behavior or how often we ask for it. It is not granted or withheld
according to the severity of the offense or limited to a certain number of
requests. While we may want to add conditions to forgiveness that make
sense to us, God adds none. He says in all situations, at all times---he
forgives and he commands us to forgive.
Like Charles Johnson (a.k.a. you and me) it is hypocritical not to forgive.
As God loves and forgives us, we love and forgive others. If we don’t
forgive we hurt ourselves as much as we hurt the person we refuse to
forgive. Holding on to a grudge and unforgiveness is like letting a person
live inside your head rent free.
How can we connect my story to God’s Story Scripture?
Forgiveness is the major link between you and God. Nothing makes a relationship stronger than to know that all mistakes have been forgiven. The walls of separation between you and God are torn down and obliterated when you understand God’s unconditional forgiveness.
Forgiveness from God is the life blood of a Christian. It is acceptance, freedom and motivation. It is unspeakable joy and security—nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Write your own song of praise to God for the remarkable, undeserved, unconditional forgiveness and love given to you.
Live in freedom and forgiveness. Show it and share it.
How can we connect today’s story and God’s Story and our story to their story?
Psychologists tell us that most of the troubled people in the world are desperately searching for forgiveness. It’s what everyone needs. God’s Story is unforgettable and unmatched when his only son willingly gives his own life to purchase forgiveness for the whole world.
- Tell God’s story with passion and enthusiasm. It will sweep away feelings of doubt, fear and condemnation in all who hear and believe.
- Demonstrate the freedom God gives us when we forgive others completely as he forgives us.
- Find songs and stories about God’s forgiveness to share with your friends. Invite them to experience it for themselves.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
