Credit for the image and content is to Jim
Cunningham. It was presented to me as an illustration of how one can acquire
and achieve freedom within personal relationships. In that context one's faith
relationship with Jesus Christ opens possibilities for forgiveness and
reconciliation and mutual respect with people who have been offensive or
adversarial or uncaring.
The visual also speaks to me about the
differences between the terrorist group ISIS and followers of Christ.
Without Christ, his example and his teaching, a group like ISIS is entirely invested in the left side of this image, anger, hatred, defamation, insult, violence, and murder. ISIS is in a bondage that hurts so many and the pain inflicted is undeserved. The Christ follower however finds personal forgiveness with God because Jesus has interceded for him/her with his Father in heaven. Given that generous freedom of conscience, the disciple lives within a framework of love, and honesty and transparency desiring to be at peace with everyone. The believer will do all that it is possible to do to establish that peace, and when it is rejected, the believer will still be at peace and be healthy because central to wellbeing is this settled comfort with the LORD himself, nothing to prove, nothing to do but to love God and others.
Without Christ, his example and his teaching, a group like ISIS is entirely invested in the left side of this image, anger, hatred, defamation, insult, violence, and murder. ISIS is in a bondage that hurts so many and the pain inflicted is undeserved. The Christ follower however finds personal forgiveness with God because Jesus has interceded for him/her with his Father in heaven. Given that generous freedom of conscience, the disciple lives within a framework of love, and honesty and transparency desiring to be at peace with everyone. The believer will do all that it is possible to do to establish that peace, and when it is rejected, the believer will still be at peace and be healthy because central to wellbeing is this settled comfort with the LORD himself, nothing to prove, nothing to do but to love God and others.
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