Malice in the Palice Part II

Here is a response to violence in sports and in life.  Now it doesn't provide all the answers to the tough questions, but I hope it is a start on the right path.  Forgiveness is a tough road to hoe, but it is so worth it

Most if not all world religions have some concept of forgiveness and ideas of restitution.  In Christianity, it is the central theme of our relationship with God and others.  We are called to seek forgiveness and to be forgiven and to seek restitution when possible.  Forgiveness isn’t an option, because God calls His followers to forgive others just as they were forgiven.  Forgiveness is a one way street, we are called to forgive and to seek forgiveness even if the other party isn’t willing.  In essence, forgiveness is a one way street.  When we do this, we do not earn a merit badge, but we do it because of our relationship with God and we are His children.  Reconciliation is a two way street where it takes both parties to work on issues that are present.  Now, reconciliation may not be possible on this side of heaven, because there needs to be a place for proper and healthy boundaries.  Reconciliation in a broken world is hard work, but it is worth it.  In a healthy and growing relationship, there needs to be forgiveness and reconciliation at work. 

             

So what makes forgiveness possible?  It has to be more than just saying I am sorry and trying to change.  If we can just get away with saying I’m sorry and saying a little prayer, we are not only cheapening the process, but Christ work on the cross is totally pointless.  The book of Hebrews is littered throughout of illustrations that Christ death and resurrection not only covered our sins, but it provides access to God.  One of the main illustrations is that the curtain has been torn and that we can enter into the holy of holies because of Christ work. The only thing we need to do is to accept the free gift that is given to us.  The Oval Office in the White House is one of the most protected rooms in the United States.  The only way the average citizen can gain access is if we receive an invitation from the President.  This is the same with God, they only way we can have access to God is through Christ invitation and sacrifice on the cross.  The only way we can experience true forgiveness and reconciliation with others, is if we accept and receive the pardon of God through Christ.

 Because of Christ sacrifice and that He is a member of the Trinity, God is the ultimate judge.  One of the reasons He is the ultimate judge is because He is the Creator of the universe.  All things begin and end with Him and He is the only one that is righteousness enough to set the standards to live by.  The only way we can keep up and live in those standards is through Christ living in and through us.    

  Getting back to the Minnesota/Ohio State brawl, one of the people involved by the name of Luke Witte (who happened to be suckered punched in the brawl and he ended up with a scratched eye and spent some time in the hospital.) wrote about his experience and how he was not only a changed basketball player after, but a changed person.  That incident changed his outlook on life, and it filled him with hatred to those who were involved and he never viewed the game of basketball same again.  He eventually became a minister and around the year 2000 he was contacted by some of the Minnesota players to seek some sort of relationship and to talk about what happened.  The relationship started with olive branch in the form of an email.  Those feelings of hatred came back to Luke, but through time, Gods grace and mercy, there was not only forgiveness with Luke and the people that were involved, but there was also reconciliation.  They have gotten together over the years and became friends.  They can talk about that night on the basketball court and as horrible event as it was, has brought them together and developed good friendships.  God is a God of reconciliation, He is calling us to be reconciled with Him first and foremost, but a response of that reconciliation, who is he calling us to forgive and even, just maybe be reconciled to here on earth.