Giving Up The Grudge!

One most famous 'grudge-fests' was the 'grudge-fest' between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15.  

Seems Barnabas wanted to have his cousin John Mark accompany he and Paul, on Paul’s second missionary journey,   But Paul was vehemently against the idea, since John Mark “…had deserted [Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey] in Pamphylia…” (Acts 15:38). 

And from then on -- Paul harbored resentment toward Barnabas' cousin.

But Barnabas didn’t take Paul’s resentment of John Mark ‘lightly,’ for Acts 15:39 tells us “…they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company…”  (Acts 15:39).   Literally the Greek word for sharp disagreement means to exasperate, to scorn, to despise, to rouse or burn with anger.   And so tempers flared. 

But the significant thing, not explicit in Acts 15, is that eventually Paul ‘gives up the grudge.’ 

Paul does forgive.   

Why in Colossians 4:10 / 2 Timothy 4:11 / Philemon 24 – Paul not only includes John Mark again in his ministry – Paul is excited about John Mark’s involvement in his ministry.   Why in 2 Timothy 4:11 Paul implores Timothy to “…Get [John] Mark and bring him with you – because [John Mark] is [so] helpful to me in my ministry…”  (2 Timothy 4:11).  

Amazing:  one minute John Mark is a big betrayer – the next moment John Mark is a big blessing.   

But that’s exactly the transition God wants us to make amid the 'grudge-fest's of life:  from folks being “the enemy” to being “the reconciled” – “the redeemed” – as we forgive – through the power of God – nevertheless!

           

In the mid-1990s, Hutu extremists killed between 800,000 and 1 million people in Rwanda. Now years later, those who experienced such devastating loss are trying to pick up the pieces.  Some have gone the extra mile toward reconciliation, by meeting in Christian small groups -- with the very people who killed their loved ones. 

Alice Mukarurinda is one such person participating in a small group – that included the very Hutu who assaulted her:  Emmanuel Ndayisaba.   And I mean assaulted -- for Emmanuel did the very worst to Alice not only killing her infant daughter – but severing her right hand and lacerating her face.   “Well the first time I encountered Emmanuel in our small group” Alice confessed – “I was so traumatized I needed to be taken to the hospital for 10 days.  It was not easy.  But then later, I managed to forgive him.  I believe it was God’s power…”   http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/healing-wounds-rwandas-genocide-reconciling-survivor-perpetrator/      

It's always God’s power!   The only way we ever forgive – the only way we ever move from betrayal to any sense of reconciliation –– is by accessing reconciling energy – beyond our own means – centered in God’s means.  

And so access God's means -- 'giving up the grudge' -- utilizing the example, and power, of the Savior!