ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 7, 2022
Like many others, I have always been inspired by the words of Romans 3:
…since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
I read those words and connect them to the ideas of the 17th century English pastor, Thomas Fuller, who wrote: “He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.” It sure appears as if us humans have a tendency to create a hierarchy of sin, in which “my sin” always falls among the lowest and least significant. It is that belief that allows us to be adamant in our unwillingness to forgive others for some sin perceived as great, while assuming forgiveness will be extended automatically for what we clearly see as our mild and insignificant infraction. Remember, “ALL have sinned and fall short…
O Holy One of All Creation, may my great yearning to receive forgiveness be matched by my ability to extend forgiveness. Amen.
