"Just Do It!"

"Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive."

(Luke 17:3-4)

There's an old saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!" It's right up there with the adage, "Don't let anyone walk all over you!" We're a country where "everyone deserves a second chance," but also, "Three strikes and you're out!" What's a faith-filled person to do?

And then to throw a huge wrench in the mix, Jesus has a simple teaching on forgiveness: "JUST DO IT!" Granted, he couches the admonition amongst believers/disciples... meaning, within the community of Christendom; amongst the body of Christ. Which is kind of a HUGE caveat. Disciples are those who have given their lives and hearts to Christ. We've committed to putting others first and leading lives of servanthood. So it goes without saying that disciples shouldn't be seeking to screw people over o intentionally inflict harm on others. So... forgiving a disciple who truly repents should be a no-brainer. Even if they sin against us multiple times each day.

I love how Jesus invites his followers to "rebuke the offender." In love, of course. But we need to let people know when they've sinned... especially against us. Gains Thede, my campus ministry at the University of Hawaii used to say that unless we let someone know we have a problem with something they've done, there's no problem. Of course, don't be arrogant about it. Remember that we're sinners as well, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.

So today's journaling reminds me to listen to Jesus... and Gaius... and be an agent of forgiveness and grace - especially among those who profess to be followers of Jesus. Just do it. Period.