I don’t see JAMES as the gospel or the law. I’m influenced by it as an attitude with the potential for open discussion.

And to just assume that I’m living in a JAMES manner because the world doesn’t like the choices I make, characterizes the very JAMES attitude that Tri has been speaking about.

My boss chose to hold his ground and live by his beliefs. I know the man well enough to know that he was firm and polite about the matter. However, are we saying that now he needs to apologize for being so judgmental, antagonistic, mean-spirited, exclusive and self-righteous because he would not allow the neighbor’s unmarried relatives to share a bed in his own house? Because that is EXACTLY how the world perceives us when we stand firm to truth, and that is EXACTLY what Jesus said we can expect from the world when we do.

Funny isn’t it, how Jesus responded to being called demon-possessed by the Jewish leaders. No apologies, but a pretty harsh, judgmental, antagonistic, mean-spirited, exclusive, self-righteous response (at least as perceived by those leaders).

Matt

All: I just read the Please Forgive article from Tri on the Huffington Post. Was this whole thing about how we need forgiveness because we don’t recycle and clean the river like we should?…or was that a seperate Please Forgive Us issue?..Anyways, please forgive me if any of my comments were taken the wrong way..May we spread His love with a humble heart by sharing the good news of the forgiveness of sins. Peace to you all….D,signing off.

i’ve done it! what i’m trying to see is – OK LORD, what is the meat you want ME to take away from this, what are the bones that you want ME to leave? i’m trying. it’s so easy to criticize. where i am put off or offended, LORD, show me what you would change in my own heart – and if it’s something huge – so be it. if it’s nothing, so be it! but let me be willing.
just willing.

that said, i wonder at all this animosity – the Bible is pretty clear, that smart God of ours hems us in – if we are hurt by someone we are supposed to go to them – and if we know we have hurt someone we are supposed to go to them – no loopholes. the impetus is on us all the time. individually.

so my question is this – where have you been offended? where have you been deeply hurt, perhaps by the vineyard even, perhaps by Tri, even. maybe now is the time to say “ouch, that really hurt” to the people who have hurt us.

i wonder, there was a whole slew of people at church on sunday who were there for baby dedications, who were there and left before the blanket apologies… people who have left this congregation hurting and angry – is there room for each of us, from the Head Pastor to the Bookstore Guy to the Janitor to the Person in the Pew, (so to speak) to simply take this message personally and ask forgiveness from or apologize to those among us whom we have wounded? leaving all of the whole “big Church” apology stuff aside, will we be big enough to take this message personally in a good way and seek out those with whom we have broken relationship and be the first to apologize?

or shall we just sit back and wait for the other guy to go first?

Over all I’ve experienced the spirit of the messages and conversations of Please Forgive James to be right on.

Because Jesus has given me the tremendous confidence and self-assurance that comes from my new life in him I try to, if I’m perceived as antagonistic, meanspirited, exclusive, or self-righteous, to move a position and say I’m sorry. I love forgiveness. I am not too arrogant to act and think like I am always right.

I don’t think Tris’ message was for me to indict, self deflate, or cower. I’ve never known the Spirit to be anything less than strong, forgiving, compassionate, uplifting and powerful. I know Tri to be the same kind of man. I think the message is to not stop being friends with the world around me. I don’t think the truth is compromised by showing love and humility. If I can engage with the world on the environment, starvation, trafficking, homosexuality, socio-economics and family life, and in the Huntington Press I will. If to engage in this arena means asking forgiveness I will. It seems a small price to ask to start developing a credible track record in areas that we as Christians can bring truth and life and love. The fact is we haven’t had a great track record in every area. The fact is neither has the world.

Personally, on a daily basis I experience by far more judgmental, antagonistic, meanspirited, exclusive, and self-righteous attitudes from outside the church than I have from the long list of Christians I admire, love and respect. If that weren’t true, Jesus didn’t need to die.

My position is, I wasn’t born seeking the kingdom of God so I know how the old man,”the world” thinks. He can twist and manipulate with a self-serving agenda all day long. I see it happen all day long. The difference for me is my heart does break for the world around me who is fighting a losing battle. If all it takes for me to start sowing kingdom seeds is to take off an exclusive, meanspirited perceived James mask and replace that mask with forgiveness I’ll do it.

I’m in no danger of losing my masculinity or strength and compassion, it comes from the love and joy of Jesus. My strength is eternal.

I know how weak the world symbolizes the kingdom of God to be. The truth is the world, the environment, and relationships are broken. Christs heart broke for me, and he died for me and brought forgiveness and salvation. It’s pretty easy to see the example he set. I don’t always achieve the level of friendliness and friendship I want. But the creator is my example and I have the Holy Spirit not to flaunt my life and power, but to learn to use it for his kingdom as he does for me. He meets me right where I am.

Please Forgive James is the Romans 12 message and it is a sober judgment of our accountability, our faith, love, and compassion.