Many years ago, a person could conduct business and close a deal by a firm handshake between two honest people. In this world of he said, she said, they said as spun by a media focused on influencing their audience to believe their propaganda, the real story does not matter. The facts do not seem to matter any more as that is immaterial when all that matters is getting the news out to a public for reaction. Synonyms like integrity, uprightness, ethical, high principles, righteous, truthful, reliable, etc., are all words that can relate to honesty. Last week I wrote about the wise men getting a false story from King Herod. This week in light of current events it seems we are all obsessed with passing judgement on very little knowledge of the story. I watched a devastating loss by the Saints after what seemed to be a victory. First glimpse of the continuous rerun of the play shows a missed tackle. The opinions went from if only he would have made that tackle, to why didn’t he just make that tackle, to what an idiot for not making that tackle, to he should be fired for not making such a simple tackle, etc. etc. You get the point! Replay after replay of what a person did or said does not add clarity to the final outcome. In my opinion, it only adds a barrier to a more lasting outcome. Would have, could have, should have does not change the outcome, but only increases the resistance to an ending that will be acceptable to all. The political arena is obsessed by avoidance of an outcome acceptable to all. They would rather an endless debate filled with accusations and name calling over an honest attempt to obtain compromise.
In Acts 19:2, Paul asked the people of Ephesus whether they received the Holy Spirit when the came to believe. Their honest response was that they did not even know there was a Holy Spirit. We can judge these people with labels such as “idiots” or “racists” for following John instead of Jesus but doesn’t an honest question deserve an honest answer? If you continue to read Paul, he did not chastise them. Instead, he used this moment as a teaching moment and then they truly believed through Paul’s honesty. Do we judge people by their honest reactions or do we look to find a deeper understanding for their reaction? We all make stupid statements or actions that we wish we could take back knowing it is too late. But did we have malice in our heart or was it an honest mistake? I believe this world is full of people quick to judge but slow to forgive when perhaps we should all practice the opposite. Let’s all be quick to forgive so we can work for the good of all and let God be the final judge.
T