Ease His Pain
Is there any value or virtue in being easy on people? In younger days, I mostly equated this generous lifestyle with lack of concern for right or plain laziness. Said viewpoint is easy to accept because it is sometimes true, but correlation is not causation. Being a nice guy or gal is not necessarily weakness as being hard-boiled indicative of strength. We all wanted to be right and sure of it. Now, I’m not as sure of myself- or other people.
Most people have guilty consciences. Something torments them. This is as true of believers as unbelievers- the repentant, as well as, the reprobate. The conscience will not allow us to rest though atonement is sought or paid. It is often even difficult for Christ-followers to believe that their sins are actually forgiven. Head and heart knowledge are different things, and, many times, Satan whispers, “There is no use to try.”
It’s not an easy thing to maintain the balance of convictions and consolation. The nature of convictions is for them to be highly personal, and I am constantly surprised at the things which seemed to be so important years ago that scarcely matter today. Perhaps, the lesson is that we ought to hold our individual beliefs less dear and clear biblical teachings more near. Loving right and loving relationships are both scriptural admonitions.
It’s not compromise to overlook a fault or hold your tongue in times of frustration. People fail. “People” includes you and me. It would be in the interest of the hurting, the observing, our world and the house of God if, occasionally, the concerned would give the convicted a pass. This doesn’t mean godlessness– it means grace. Guilt can be a motivator, but it can also be an obstacle. The actions of believers toward one another can make the difference.
I have come to believe that the followers of Christ should ease the path and progress of others. If we are biblical but not bullies, it will help. We should not see forgiveness as excuse-making or fault-finding as justice. It’s a matter of balance. Paul said that believers should be willing to endure a fault for the sake of testimony and harmony of the saints. There’s a message largely wasted on the “me-first” generation. But it’s in the Bible.
Regret is a sometimes companion of mine. There are many things I wish I could do over- or undo. I also wonder if there are people who have been hurt by my actions of which I am unaware. Perhaps, there are other people who feel the same way- even with regard to me. At this point, I no longer feel I have any scores to settle. So, if there’s anybody out there feeling they owe me an explanation or apology- don’t worry about it.
Sterl
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