I’ve been reading lately about how to be a new human. In the light of what God has done for me in Jesus. It’s good news, if you haven’t heard. We’re all a little jacked up, on a spectrum of dysfunction. When I think I’m a halfway decent human being (and this comes via comparing myself to others), I quickly realize I’m just as flawed as the next person. The very fact that I compare my personal righteousness to someone else’s is wrong. I’m not supposed to be judging people. I say my prayers and then I think hateful thoughts toward the person who cut me off in traffic. I ask God for a job and then complain about my job. And everything else. I say I don’t like to gossip but I tell people about others’ shortcomings. I’m selfish. I can’t win. Thankfully Jesus did. And through Him I will. I realize how much I need Him.

I think about how much I’ve transgressed against God. Yet He’s forgiven me. I heard my pastor say the other day that justification is “as if it never happened.” I’m justified. Of course there are consequences to wrongdoing (just look around). But being cognizant of God’s forgiveness – driven by His love for me, helps put me on the road to being a new human. I’m called to do to others what God’s done for me. To forgive. To excuse wrongdoing.

It’s a good feeling to be forgiven. Think about times in your life when you’ve screwed up. Maybe you said the wrong thing in the heat of the moment. Maybe you punched someone or spat in someone’s face. Maybe you sent a nasty email or text. Have you ever purposely spoken ill of someone – to elevate yourself? I have. Have you ever lied? Ever cheated? Ever not met the mark on something? I hope you’ve experienced forgiveness: a pass, mercy, grace. I hope you’ve tasted another chance. If you have, don’t you feel changed from it? Have you felt your spirit lift like a weight?

The thing about the forgiveness of God: it changes you. Being redeemed brings a sense of newness. Haven’t you seen it in movies? Where someone’s caught in guilt – there’s that look on the face – that of a deer in the headlights. Another person will hold the door for him, without saying a word, letting the guilty go. Of course a price is paid for guilt. Jesus paid the price. In dying, He extinguished the power of sin and death (N.T. Wright). Evil ran its course on Him, so you and I could walk free.

So, in light of God’s mercy and forgiveness toward me, I’m made new. I’m left wanting to be a good steward of His compassion and grace. I want to please Him. And the best way for me to do this is by extending that grace to others. By being slow to anger. By being patient and kind. Think about how this could change the world. I think we are called to take the high road in life. When someone tarnishes your reputation via a Google review or political ad, you say nothing but good about her when you’re asked. When someone steals from you, you give him a Christmas present. When someone hurts you, you forgive. Martin Luther King, Jr said it well: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Imagine a world where forgiveness is the currency. I believe it would change people. Of course one would argue: what about people who just keep on taking advantage of you despite your forgiveness?!” Jesus said to keep on forgiving. I don’t think this means we are to suffer abusive relationships. There is a time to distance ourselves. Look at God and the Israelites in the Old Testament. If someone has really encountered mercy and been changed by grace, they can’t keep on in trespass and error. Yeah, there will be screw-ups along the way but there is most definitely a new order to things. Hearts are changed.

I thank God that He’s patient with me. I’m trying. But I’m fallen. I put my trust in Christ – that He did for me what I couldn’t do. He was the human I’m not. He lived a perfect life in faithfulness to God. He brought the kingdom. He forgave. He conquered sin and death. How can I not be pulled in by this love? And by His spirit I can forgive others. I can embrace kindness and let go of bitterness and wrath and jealousy. The old way is death. It brings hell in the earth. Have a talk with Jesus. He’ll make You new. Experience forgiveness and extend it to others. It’s world changing. ~

“No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.” -Ephesians 4:29-5:5  (Oh, how we need His help with this!).