For So Were We Once

One of the hardest things to do sometimes is to forgive.

When we've been wronged, it's possible to think we've forgiven, but speaking from experience, I know the bitterness lingers. And keeping that bitterness from leaching into your words is hard.

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:2

Oh, this is a hard verse.

We might say, "But someone needs to warn others about this dangerous person!"

Yes, but there is a difference between warning and being spiteful. It comes out in our word choices and our tone.

Paul could often be blunt about naming who had gone astray. He did say to mark them, but the verse after the one I mentioned above bears examining as well.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Don't forget that once we were no better than they were or even are.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Oh, the wondrous grace of God. That He should love a sinner like me.

And just in case you want to say, "But this is a Christian who ought to know better." The next verse reminds us that we are still in danger of falling into sin, just as they have done.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

We are saved through faith "they which have believed in God", and then we must be careful to maintain good works.

There is a saying, "Hate the sin, not the sinner." It's a really fine line, and I'll admit I haven't always walked it.

I did a course once, a few years ago. It was an online course during a time when I didn't even have internet at home. I had to go to the library with my young son who was still in a pram (stroller). Finding time to get there, keep my kid entertained, and doing the work was hard. It took me a whole year, and just after I submitted everything, the school closed down.

I never got my certificate.

I tried everything, even ended up talking to a government official in charge of trying to get everyone's data from the school, but nothing came of it.

It took me ages to learn how to speak of that without bitterness leaching into my voice and-- more importantly--my heart.

For sure, I should use the experience to help others not to be scammed (They signed me up in a shopping centre. They promised things which were too good to be true. All really big red flags.). But the words you use show your true heart.

Is it love which motivates you to speak, remembering that you were once no better than that sinner which wronged you? Or are you really just bitter?

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(see Eph. 4:15a and 31-32 if you need some more help with this)