“I’ll believe it …”

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, Inspiration1 Comment

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” should not be an attitude we hold in faith. To do so would leave us in the realm of doubt, waiting for sensory confirmation in order to believe (II Cor. 5:7).

Forgiveness, is an elusive noun that is easy to define, but so much more difficult to do. In both Greek and Hebrew, forgiveness is derived from verbs; meaning to pardon, release, excuse, or send away.

Of all the concepts of faith that I have taught and counseled on, forgiveness is the most wrestled with, resisted, doubted, and dare I say, disbelieved. Why is that?

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” How hard it is for us to grasp forgiveness, and even harder to send away that which has been grasped: the offense.

The greatest obstacle to walking in forgiveness, is believing that the offender has really repented, was really sorry, or learned some type of lesson. Yet, that’s not what forgiveness is for. It is not for us to judge the efficacy of forgiveness in the life of the other, but to look deeply at how effective forgiveness has been in our heart. Have we let loose of the offense, and set the offender free in our heart?

I need not lay before you the scriptures on forgiveness, as that’s why the Bible contains them … go look them up … but suffice to say, forgiveness, like repentance, is a daily exercise in faith, rooted in God’s grace.

We do not deserve God’s grace. Furthermore, we do not deserve His forgiveness. Yet, both were freely given. Well, someone paid the price: Christ. Grace is costly, as is forgiveness. Yet it is a price you, and I, did not pay. Still, it is a debt we will carry when we do not release the offense; often in the form of bitterness, anger, resentment, and fear.

In teaching His disciples to pray, Yeshua/Jesus said, and I paraphrase, “Forgive us … as we forgive … “ To follow Yeshua is to be a person saturated in forgiveness: “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” For sure, not easy; but then, we are not to rely on our strength or capability to forgive.

Imagine if we set a standard of “I’ll believe it when I see it,” regarding God’s forgiveness toward us? We would be paralyzed; unable to approach Him, pray to Him, worship Him. We would be locked up in a cage called unforgiveness, even more strongly: death.

I remember reading a rabbinic story years ago of a rabbi who inquired of an old study partner as to whether or not he believed a particular teaching in the Talmud. The man replied, “Of course!” The rabbi said, “I did not; until I did it.”

Forgiveness is difficult, not because of the other; but rather, some part of us still wrestling with it, with believing it. Until we do it, it will be theoretical. Once we do it, freedom.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” may work for those in a condition of doubt; but, “I know it because He did it,” recognizes our continuing maturation in faith, a trusting Him that necessitates doing, especially the most difficult of His teachings, in order to know it personally.

We never graduate from the feeling of pain that accompanies forgiveness, as some part of us dies, each time, in the process. But, we find more freedom in what Messiah did for us, especially when we did not deserve it.

Forgiveness: “I believe it, because He said it.”

Be well. Shalom.

Feeling Prayer

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Inspiration1 Comment

When something we take for granted is withheld, or due to circumstance is not functioning properly, once it is restored we give thanks for it with renewed gratitude; but when we are in need, we learn to feel the prayers of others facing such suffering.

Lord willing, we begin to feel mercy in a very real, and personal way.

the mountains we make

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn InspirationLeave a comment

It’s no secret, if you know me, you know I love the mountains: to climb, look at, rest upon, and in winter, slide down. Each time I drive by, or begin to climb, I recite these words:

Mt. Colden, ADK.

“I lift up my eyes to wthe hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).

The prophet Amos reminds us, “For behold, He who forms mountains … ” (Amos 4:13), that it is the Lord who forms the mountains, and therefore the valleys, even the bottomlands that result.

In forming the mountains, He knew exactly what He was doing. No mistakes, just grandeur.

Metaphorically, in the course of life and circumstance, we face challenges that we refer to as mountains and valleys. Messiah speaking in this way told us that faith can move those mountains, amen.

Over the years I have amplified this by explaining that God can take you over, under, or through the mountains of challenges; or, as I once wrote, “Sometimes the mountain moved by faith is you.”

Yet, there are also mountains appearing, seemingly on our horizon, that we create. At first the busyness of life seems to heap up before us; followed by fearful anticipation of what is on the other side of those heaps; until finally, our perspective becomes blocked by what we have imagined, and cannot control – the Himalayas of dread.

Still, Messiah said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34).

In this single verse is Messiah’s practical application of faith. Is there anyone who cannot relate to what He is saying?

Yet, it is preceded by the object of faith, that sufficiently prepares us to trust for the tomorrow we cannot control: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6:33).

Him first, His righteousness, and what is necessary will be there, “Thy will be done.”

The mountains we make are formed from the circumstances and challenges we face. Except, without knowledge of the end, we cannot expertly form these mountains – which are not lasting.

They lack subtle definition that adds character to those mountains we look to in awe. Rather, all of our cares and concerns, when heaped up, look like a mountain of garbage. Have you ever seen one? Ugly things really.

The faith present in the celebration, is the same present in the bottomlands, way down deep in the most excruciating of times. The faith never changes, only how we experience it’s amplification in the midst of duress.

I’m learning, day by day, that the mountains He forms, natural and metaphorical, are formed perfectly to His design; and that there will either be a way over, at times requiring great exertion; or, a way around. We must faithful navigate either way.

We are easily overwhelmed by our mountains; but in faith, the One who made the mountains, the heavens and earth, overwhelms the myriad troubles before us, and becomes our help, our Yeshua, our Jesus.

Shabbat shalom.