Building the Culture of Excellent Relationships

It is incredible how God works in my personal life. Sunday morning we had the most candid meeting about our purpose for being. As I sat and listened to people share their hopes to see church growing, it was very evident that we are aware of “enemy within,” of people who are hostile and abrasive, and when such a toxic environment exists, it endangers not only pastor, who may run to another district, but it also pushes away people who God may have added to this family.
Monday night there were tears at our Board meeting, not because of what took place among the Board members, but recognizing that there is lack of forgiveness outside, in the community, where people’s hurts are crippling them emotionally to love, to smile, to laugh, to enjoy life.
Tuesday morning I was at the First Baptist church downtown with many city pastors visiting with William Paul Young, the author of THE SHACK novel, sharing the concept behind the best-seller that stirs so much controversy in religious circles. Then as I drove to a visit at 11 am, I listened him being interviewed by Shauna Rae on 1290AM. I have not read the book myself to make the judgment. But from what I heard him share, and the answers he gave to numerous questions – I heard the Spirit speak to me about the colossal need for forgiveness among us.
Un-churched people are giving the book about God, the Trinity, to their churched friends saying “you need to read it!” One person asked the author this question: “How can we enter in such a deep relationship with God?” He answered simply “we cannot do it outside of entering into deep relationships with each other!” Why do I bring up this book? Because it’s main purpose is to challenge us on understanding God’s purpose of forgiveness in our lives.
Forgiveness is an obligation of tremendous significance. The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we ask God to forgive us as we have forgiven others (Matthew 6:12) and if we do not forgive others then God does not forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15).
Now, forgiveness is more than a duty; it is an entrance into the circle of divine life. It is an expression of divine life itself. We experience the heart of God when we forgive. We know the nature of God as an insider through forgiving others.
But forgiveness is not reconciliation yet. It only takes one to forgive, but it takes two to reconcile. Forgiveness is something that happens in our souls without respect to who the offender is, what they have done, or how they feel about what they have done. Forgiveness is a gift to ourselves by the power of the Spirit who enables us to exercise the love of God in our own hearts. To forgive is to be free. To forgive is to be like God and share his love.
The “miracle” of reconciliation begins with the “miracle” of forgiveness, and it moves to change another through a relationship.