To err is human, so, errrrrr........

I had a conversation online once with a Christian  who was having a hard time with forgiveness. This person wasn't having trouble doing the forgiving- but with being forgiven. They'd read their Bible and had found Matthew 5: 23-24:

"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.'

Knowing they had done something that someone else was angry about (a minor thing- but it had ticked off this guy)- they went to be reconciled.

They weren't exactly greeted like the Prodigal son returning. The guy had apparently made it pretty clear that he was annoyed, had held onto his annoyance for a good while now and, dammit, was going to keep hold of that annoyance!

Our friend was now having a dilemma. They were convinced that, basically, they were doomed now because they were 'unforgiven'. They'd told God about it- and asked for God's forgiveness. But they were convinced that, as far as they were concerned, there was now a big burly bouncer (try saying that 5 times really fast!) at the Pearly Gates, who was going to scowl at them and say "Nah- someone's not forgiven you.You're name's not down, so you're not coming in."

Sad, isn't it? How many people are carrying unnecessary burdens because they've got hold of an idea that simply isn't of God's making. It makes me wonder what ideas I've got that are a bit screwy.

Mesdames et Messieurs, I give you today's reading from 'Not-the-Gospels'

'And behold, a man said unto Jesus, "Lord, I have done as you have said. At the altar, I didst remember that I have wronged my neighbour and I went at once to make my peace with him. I confessed my wrongs."

Jesus replied, "Verliy, I say unto you, that is good. What sayest thy neighbour?"

The man sayeth, "Lord, my neighbour telleth me that I am a ratbag that cannot be trusted. Well, actually, Lord, he useth a stronger term than that- but I'm not repeating it in front of thee!"

"What exactly is thy problem?" sayeth Jesus.

"Though I have confessed my sin against him- and am sorry from my heart, he doth tell me to shoveth off and doth not want to know."

And Jesus sayeth, "Well, that is thy tough luck, my friend."

The man crieth "But, Lord, I have truly repented. I am not the man I once was. I have poured out my heart in repentance before this man and before the Lord God!"

And Jesus didst shruggeth and say "Yea, verily, I get that- but as he hath decided that his unforgiveness is more powerful than God's forgiveness, there's not much I can do about it! Sorry, but until he cometh round you'll have to wallow in thy sins. The Lord God will have to change his mind and hold back on the forgiveness until thy neighbour doth decide that thou aren't a ratbag."

And Jesus didst put a hand sorrowfully on the man's shoulder and sayest unto him "...and I know thy neighbour- and boy, doth he know how to bear a grudge. Thou mayest be in for a loooooong wait, pal!"