[Biblemat] A Which Is Easier?

[kenneth Thomas]

    I read with interest s short article by J. R. Bronger recently on Bible
Matters. After reading it I decided to add some to what he wrote and the
following is the result.  
 
Which is Easier? 
Four couples were sitting around the table discussing humorous things that
have happened during their marriage. One brother told of buying a boat and
not telling his wife for several months. He said after some rough days that
she finally forgave him and began to cook again. He said that his philosophy
is: "It is easier to get forgive-ness than permission."
Many seem to be living by this philosophy. Instead of being concerned about
permission, they bank on being forgiven. Many young people ignore the wishes
of their parents and, when they get "caught," they cry, "I’m sorry." They
might get a few weeks of being grounded. But why worry about permission when
one can be forgiven? 
I am not seeking to vilify forgiveness, because without it we are all lost.
But the possibility of being forgiven does not give us a license, either in
relationships or with God. J. R. Bronger
Ken’s comments on the above: First of all, final decisions about matters
reside with the man who is the head of the house (Ephesians 5:22-24). While
I believe he should discuss such a major expenditure with his wife before
investing in a boat, still the idea that he needed to "get permission" is
not right either. Unfortunately, we live in a Matriarchal society where many
times the wishes of a strong willed woman determines what is purchased,
where to go on vacation and a host of other minor as well as major decisions
in many families. 
Our good friend and a faithful gospel preacher, H.E. Phillips (deceased)
once told Dolores and me a story about an elders/evangelist meeting in which
he was asked to participate. As one elder outlined what his judgment was
about a given matter, another elder when asked what he thought about it
replied, "I’ll have to ask Mary before I give an answer; I never make
decisions without getting her opinion first." Does anyone believe this 
elder" was qualified to be one of the overseers in a local church of Christ?
I can well identify with the idea that children are often so well aware that
they can easily be "forgiven," that they will often knowingly go against
their parents wishes and teaching due to such "easy forgiveness." Why, all
they have to do is like they have been trained to do, do what they wish then
say the magic words, "I’m sorry" and all is well! Wait a minute! For
forgiveness to be granted there must first be a heart filled with "Godly
sorrow" which Paul said, "works repentance" (2 Corinthians 7:10). 
How have we trained our children for such easy "forgiveness?" Let me give
you a fer-instance! Little Johnnie slaps his sister Suzie up beside her head
 Mother or Father sees his mis-deed and calls on Johnnie saying: "Johnnie,
tell your sister you are sorry."
Reluctantly and after being prodded to "claim to be sorry", he’s now off the
hook. Was he really sorry? While at some point he should be urged to say he
is sorry, still he must be taught repentance first, or sorry won’t do! In
all likelihood if Johnnie doesn’t learn this lesson in childhood he will
carry this method of "easy forgiveness" into adulthood which could cause him
to eventually lose his soul in torment, not having learned that genuine
heartfelt sorrow which leads to repentance is necessary to be forgiven as
God views forgiveness. It’s so easy to say, "I’m sorry" but not so easy to
truly be sorry!
Read and study (Acts 8:13-24; 1 John 1:9)
Kenneth E. Thomas
 
 
 
Kenneth E. Thomas
Pekin church of Christ
1451 Valle Vista Blvd.
Pekin, IL 61554
1 (309) 347-3582 - Office
1 (309) 347-5645 - Home
 
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