Forgetfulness

Another day, angry,

angry at my family,

my friends,

the world,

at you,

at me,

blood boiling over

in the name

of selfish devotion,

under the vacant tent and banner

of self righteousness

as I beat my chest

like the Pharisee,

forgetting that my Lord

died for that tax collector,

my family,

my friends,

the world,

for you,

for me–

paid with blood not boiling

in rage

but a pure love,

a love that opened

the tomb

and swallowed up death

in victory,

giving

forgiveness and life

for all

 

 

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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

I talked with someone yesterday, someone I haven’t talked to in a long while. The conversation was fruitless to say the least and by the time we hung up, I was disheartened and angry. I am an awfully forgetful person when things like that happen. I start to think about myself and how I can change someone else. I get angry and I feel like I get angry way too often, even if I mostly conceal it. I can’t change anyone no matter how bad I want to.

I’ve been reading through Paul’s letter to the Romans again. Chapter 3 is one of the most concise summaries of the Christian faith that one can find. In summary, there is not one righteous person on the face of this earth but our inadequacy in that department was more than made up for by the work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 illustrates that perfect love. The whole Bible does.

I have fallen short of God’s glory but I am saved by His Son. He did the work. He died for all people: me, you, even the guy on the other end of the line. I may be forgetful but I don’t want to forget the wrongs that transpired between us. But more so than that, I pray that I never forget that love of Jesus Christ. I want to remember that now more than ever. 

The Lord bless your day.

–the real C. D.