Monthly Archive for May, 2009

The book of Acts in the Bible records the story of a man named Saul who sought out, imprisoned, and perhaps even killed Christians.  One day as Saul was traveling, a voice came out of nowhere and asked “Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  Saul’s response is a curious one: “Who are you, Lord?”

Although Saul had no idea who was speaking to him, somehow he understood that it was his Lord.

Perhaps this describes many people today.  They recognize there is one worthy to be called “Lord,” but don’t know exactly who he is.  They hear his voice in the quiet places of their lives, in the expressions of a friend, or through random acts from strangers.

Some search for this Lord… Others ignore the thought… Many give up and lead lives of desperation.  A few, like Saul, just come out and ask the question, “Who are you?”

Saul received an answer right away.  (Not everyone is so privileged.  Why that is the case, is beyond me.)  The reply was “I am Jesus.”  Now aware of his identity, Saul served Jesus for the rest of his life, eventually becoming a martyr.

Those who know and follow their Lord are fortunate.  They find purpose and fulfillment.  Those who realize their Lord exists but don’t know who he is deserve my patience.  Saul and I and millions of others were once among them.  The voice has simply not identified itself… yet.

The Bible says that man and woman are made in God’s image.  But which man… which woman?   I know many men and women.   Some are outgoing.   Others are shy.  Some like a good laugh.  Others are serious.  Which of these reflect God?

God’s attributes are so vast that they must be spread across literally billions of people.  Each man or woman alive, or who has ever lived, displays some nuance of the “personality” of God.  He is both outgoing and shy.  He is both humorous and serious.  Every pure human characteristic, not perverted by the fall of man, is an expression of a part of God’s character.

The image of God exists in your personality and mine, giving us freedom to be who we are with boldness.  Likewise, God’s characteristics exist in people who are nothing like me, giving me the responsibility to embrace and appreciate those differences.

We are each made in God’s image.  Together we reflect the limitless nature of God.

One day Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sinned against him.  Peter thought he was being generous when he suggested seven times.   Many people know Jesus’ answer.  The Lord said “Not seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Seventy times seven is only 490.  I’m in trouble.  I know there are people who I’ve offended at least 490 times.  Friends I’ve known several decades and family members come to mind.  And certainly I’ve gone well over that number with God.

Some Bible teachers say that Jesus meant “seventy times seven per day.”  Others teach that he was just pulling a large number out of the air to make a point, like someone who says “I’ve been down that street a thousand times.”

I believe in taking the Bible literally, however, and Jesus Himself said seventy times seven… 490.  That means I’m still in trouble.  Or at least I would be, were it not for another verse of scripture: “Love keeps no record of when it has been wronged.”

So, as Jesus said, one person must forgive another person 490 times.  But as the Bible also says, if I love, I won’t keep a tally of when I’ve needed to forgive.  So if I’m counting how often I’ve forgiven, I’ll never even get to “two.”