Anger and the Penn State Scandal

The Penn State Football program, School officials, and legendary coach Joe Paterno are the objects of wrath from people all over the United States.  People are rightly angry over the school's handling of child molestation charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.  A graduate student witnessed the assistant coach molesting a child, and when it was reported it seems that everything was covered up.  Everyone is right to be angry at such behavior, not only molesting children but covering it up to protect the football program.

The anger that we feel at such allegations is justified, but it has caused me to think about my anger at my own sin.  Do I feel just as angry when I sin as I do when I hear about such heinous acts?  Am I just as disgusted at my sin as I am at the sins of others?  You may say, "my sin is not as bad at that it does not deserve the same amount of anger."  Remember, your sin caused Jesus to die on the cross.  The measure of the severity of your sin is not in how much suffering it causes others but in how much suffering it caused Jesus.

It is when we learn to hate our sin as much as we hate the sin of others, that we will learn to live in the victory that Christ has won over it.  Jesus has freed us from the penalty of sin and is freeing us from the power of sin.  The reason we do not walk in that victory is that we do not hate our sin.  We do not have the same anger and disgust over our sin that we feel towards the sins of others.  Are you living in victory?  Do you hate your sin? Think about it.

Loving Your Ememy

With all of the changes happening in the Middle East, one of the stories that has been overlooked in the media is the persecution of the Coptic Christians in Egypt.  Article  Even though many people might not know what is happening, I came across this letter written by one of the Christians in Egypt.

Dear Friends,

 Thank you for sharing our difficult time.

We are passing through a dark tunnel of violence, feeling grieve of death and injustice. The light of forgiveness is shining with a painful love. Trying to bring forgiveness and justice together is a big struggle, but we are committed to the love that never fails.

We are hardly pressed on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed but not lost, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed. We do not lose heart and continue to work for justice to be fulfilled. We continue to love and declare forgiveness so the peace of God will overshadow all hearts. We continue to work on the healing and support of the innocent victims. And we continue to pray for the victims, for the offenders and for a better future.

Thank you all for your love, care, words and actions to bring justice and forgiveness together.

Bishop Thomas

They are truly living out Jesus' words to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  May we all have the same attitude as we pray for those who are persecuted for Christ's sake.