Jesus, Not Jesús: Finding The Divine In The Space Between Us.
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact

The naked truth

5/12/2016

 
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 

There are so many ways to take this passage and incorporate it into our daily life. But it boils down to one simple principle. Forgiveness. That is not always an easy thing to do. In fact, it can be down right hard.

When someone wounds us, emotionally, spiritually, physically, financially, and so on, our first reaction is often retaliation. But that only keeps us in a constant vicious cycle of violence and anger. Jesus calls us to be peace makers not war mongers. We must learn, therefore, to not only see Jesus in others but to also learn how to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

A daily practice of peace and reconciliation can help.

When I meet with people who are experiencing anger or resentment towards others (especially in church or in their own family) I am quick to remind them of the grace that has been given to them. This requires taking a detailed inventory of one's life. It's not until we see all that has been done for us that we begin to see that the same has been down for others. God allows it to rain on the crops of a sinner just as it does on the crops of the saint. 

A good practice of peace and reconciliation begins with looking at yourself in a mirror...naked. Yes, naked. Take a good hard look at yourself, notice more hair or the lack there of, more wrinkles and scars than you care to count, six extra pounds of curves instead of a six pack of abs. See yourself as you are, were you are unable to hide from the brutal truth of life. 

And then begin to forgive yourself as God has already forgiven you. Only then can we be at peace with who God has made in us. And see things for what they really are, a blessing. Only then will we begin to see the same naked truth that God has placed in others.  

God's grace is for all who seek it. So instead of paying back an eye-for-an-eye, pay forward the grace of God which was made manifest in a vulnerable, naked little baby.

Comments are closed.

    Ian Macdonald

    An ex-copywriter turned punk rock pastor and peacemaker who dedicates his life to making the world a better place for all humanity. 

    "that they all might be one"  ~John 17:21


    “Prius vita quam doctrina.”
    ​~ S
    t. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)​
    * “Life is more important than doctrine.”


    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010

Be Kind

About this blog

About The Author

Contact

Copyright © 2011