It was a little past 8PM last night when, in the first half of the Steelers-Cardinals pre-season game last night, an anxious nation received word that one of the great unknown mysteries of the summer of 2009 had been resolved. Yes, that's right, former NFL quarterback Michael Vick was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most of you know Mr. Vick's criminal background, and how he has spent two years in jail for his crime. What strikes me this morning is the amount of hatred and venom being sent his way by fans in Philadelphia. What Mr. Vick did was reprehensible, and as a dog owner it, quite frankly, nauseates me to even think of these actions. However, the fact of the matter is that Mr. Vick has repaid his debt to society and is now a free man.
The question that comes to my mind has very little to do with Michael Vick and everything to do with you and me. That question revolved around grace. See, what I have been thinking of all morning as I have seen various reports of people responding to Mr. Vick is not a question of forgetting what he has done, but when, if ever, does someone deserve a second chance. The question is:
What if Christ held a grudge against us for the sins we commit against him the way that we hold grudges against others who have done us wrong?
It's easy to sit here and condemn those people we have seen screw up, especially those who have caused us or those we love and care about great pain. Yet, among Christ's final words were: "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Forgiveness isn't easy. To have faith in Christ, however, DEMANDS forgiveness. Otherwise, we have missed the whole point.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
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