'Blessed' and 'Forgiveness' in God's Language

Spirituality Column # 23
April 17, 2007
Current in Carmel (IN) newspaper

'Blessed' and 'Forgiveness' in God's Language
By Bob Walters

Our modern-going-on-post-modern culture adapts Christian religious concepts to its own comfort and convenience.

Consider how our society’s Oprah-esque pursuit of personal, self-actualizing and carefree happiness trumps our Biblically mandated personal pursuit of God.

To a specific point, the Bible’s terms “blessed” and “forgiveness” … Surprise! … aren’t there to communicate that our lives will be “happy” and that our actions are “without consequence.”

Quick! Call Oprah and Say It Ain’t So!

When Jesus talks about what is “blessed” in the Beatitudes (The Sermon on the Mount, Mathew 5-6-7), Christ is defining those things which are objectively good, right and in harmony with God’s ways.

Blessed are the poor, the meek, those persecuted for righteousness, those who mourn … hey wait a minute! None of those are things a sane person would pray for. None defines or provides “happiness.”

What gives? Something deeper:

Blessings are things that make us entirely reliant on God.

Forgiveness, in the lexicon of the Bible’s original language, refers to rebirth and renewal of life. On the Cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He was saying, “give them (meaning all of us) rebirth and a renewal of life.” Jesus dying on the Cross defeated death; His resurrection gives us all the Hope for eternal life.

Today we prefer “forgiveness” to mean “there are no consequences.” That’s not what the Bible says or implies; just look at Christ on the Cross. The truth isn’t “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (singer Bobby McFerrin, 1987); the truth is “repent and be baptized” (The Apostle Peter, Acts 2:38).

It seems ridiculously unambitious for us to pursue God on our own limited terms. Jesus says “follow me” – meaning on His own much larger terms – 20 times in the four Gospels. Along with “love God,” “love others,” and “tell others,” “follow me” seems to be a direct order.

I’m inclined to think He meant it.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com), a Carmel resident, is happy but sees it as a gift, not a birthright.