Saturday Song: 5 Man Electrical Band, "Absolutely Right"

It sure is hard to apologize, especially when the other person is right. That's what this song is about. The man in the song acted stupidly and came to realize he was in the wrong.

Listen to this Canadian rock band's song here:

Jesus had much to say about forgiveness. After teaching about church discipline Peter asked a question about personal forgiveness. Matthew 18:21 and 22 (BBE) records, "Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, what number of times may my brother do wrong against me, and I give him forgiveness? till seven times?' Jesus says to him, 'I say not to you, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven.'"

Some occasions require that we make peace with our adversaries in order to prevent harm to ourselves. Jesus warned his hearers, and us as well, in Matthew 5:25 (BBE), "Come to an agreement quickly with him who has a cause against you at law, while you are with him on the way, for fear that he may give you up to the judge and the judge may give you to the police and you may be put into prison."

Jesus also connected forgiveness toward one another with forgiveness from God. We read of this in Mark 11:25 (BBE) where he said, "And whenever you make a prayer, let there be forgiveness in your hearts, if you have anything against anyone; so that you may have forgiveness for your sins from your Father who is in heaven."

We also note from Galatians 6:1 (BBE) that forgiveness and love are inseparable. "Brothers, if a man is taken in any wrongdoing, you who are of the Spirit will put such a one right in a spirit of love; keeping watch on yourself, for fear that you yourself may be tested."

Jesus also warned us about the danger of not forgiving others. Matthew 6:14 and 15 (BBE) says, "For if you let men have forgiveness for their sins, you will have forgiveness from your Father in heaven. But if you do not let men have forgiveness for their sins, you will not have forgiveness from your Father for your sins."

So we know that forgiveness is an act of love and God is pleased when we write off wrongs done to us. That's what forgiveness is.

On Monday, I hope to post on the subject of why we must love those who hate us.

Saturday Song: 5 Man Electrical Band, "Juliana"

Here's another song from a Canadian band who should have had more airplay. This particular song is about a woman who left her boyfriend but he still loves her.

Hear this great early-seventies song here:

This situation reminds me of all the times Israel turned its collective back on God, even though he never gave up on them. One example of God's undying love toward his people is mentioned in Ezekiel 16:60 (BBE). Likening that nation to a loose woman, God spoke through his prophet of how he came to the nation's rescue but she forsook him. "But still I will keep in mind the agreement made with you in the days when you were young, and I will make with you an eternal agreement."

Likewise, God called to Israel in Joel 2:12 and 13 (BBE), saying, "But even now, says the Lord, come back to me with all your heart, keeping from food, with weeping and with sorrow: Let your hearts be broken, and not your clothing, and come back to the Lord your God: for he is full of grace and pity, slow to be angry and great in mercy, ready to be turned from his purpose of punishment."

We also see God reaching out to Israel's descendents in Jeremiah 30:17 and 18 (BBE, saying, "For I will make you healthy again and I will make you well from your wounds, says the Lord; because they have given you the name of an outlaw, saying, 'It is Zion cared for by no man.' The Lord has said, See, I am changing the fate of the tents of Jacob, and I will have pity on his houses; the town will be put up on its hill, and the great houses will be living-places again."

Jesus made one final appeal to his people in Matthew 23:37-39  BBE) when he cried, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, putting to death the prophets, and stoning those who are sent to her! Again and again would I have taken your children to myself as a bird takes her young ones under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is made waste. For I say to you, You will not see me from this time till you say, A blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord."

I'll be posting on Monday, computer problems not withstanding, about why the "sheep" people will be blessed on Judgement Day.