Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX

Sometimes I wonder if, as Christians, we really have a grasp on what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Then I hear the words of forgiveness from the relatives of the nine Christians that were slain in the Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I know now that at least some of us who claim Christ as savior have the right understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. That may sound harsh but I am hearing more about the Confederate Flag in the media than I am about the words that were spoken by those who are grieving over lost loved ones.

How important those words and actions were to Charleston cannot be underestimated. Such a positive message in a time of shock and horror that reflects the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Words that may have been instrumental in preventing the rioting and looting that seem to follow such acts of violence. Charleston has shown the world the face of Jesus Christ even if the state still flies the Confederate Flag.

Wouldn’t it be a great thing if the news media were to not pay homage to the rantings of a young person that is obviously misguided by some sort of indoctrination into a hate filled belief system. What if they were to really focus on the reason why those who are suffering are willing to forgive such a horrendous act because of their belief in the teachings found in the Holy Bible.

No matter how people want to skew the message of Jesus Christ they cannot ever equate hate or hateful actions with Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37 -He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it:‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Because we love God and neighbor we can forgive. Everything depends upon it for us to have a peaceful nation, state and life.

Have a blessed day by living in the teachings of Jesus Christ and remember the families of those slain in prayer,

Pastor Randy

Tags: Carolina, Charleston, Christ, Confederate, Flag, forgiveness, hate, Jesus, love, mercy, shooting, South

This entry was posted on June 24, 2015 at 2:54 pm and is filed under Pastor's Ponderings, Wesley United Methodist Church. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.