Quote:
Originally Posted by Trapped
Yes, I've wrestled with forgiveness for quite some time, and have come to a similar understanding. The local church is ALLLLL about putting pressure on the person who has been sinned against to "cover, take life, forgive, don't lose the enjoyment of the Lord by allowing the root of bitterness to take hold", while putting absolutely no pressure on the person who offended you to do anything about the offense!! I've come to realize just how unbalanced it is, as well as how harmful.
|
Yep...and what about that “millstone around the neck” thing? This is the one who misrepresents God, who misrepresents God’s nature, who misrepresents God’s righteousness and holiness, and who misrepresents God’s justice...and God’s love for ALL his children. He doesn’t play favorites. We are all the same in his sight. He laughs with those who laugh and weeps with those who weep.
Here’s a good Witness Lee quip I heard from the horse’s mouth a long time ago (paraphrased):
“The Bible was written for YOU! It wasn’t written for YOU to point the finger at OTHERS and preach at them!”
An example he gave was the verse “wives submit to your husbands” was written TO THE WIVES. It wasn’t written for husbands to use, to beat their wives into submission. (RK may have missed this one.)
Neither was the verse “husbands love your wives” written for the wives to preach at their husbands who don’t seem to love them.
No matter how “scriptural” the sermon may be, context is important. The “preacher” may using God’s Word to preach a millstone around his own neck while excusing his own offensive behavior toward others.
Nell