"But You're Not Bitter or Anything..."

It's everywhere around us. People holding long-standing grudges. Country against country. Neighbor against neighbor. Brother against brother. We come up with all sorts of reasons to hold grudges, and in our minds, they're fabulous, infallible reasons.

That's a problem.

*listens for disagreement*

*hears whispers in the back row and sees a few skeptically raised eyebrows*

Okay. Here goes. *grabs a can labeled "Cora's Radical New Idea"*

It's my alwayseversohumble opinion that we have no right to hold grudges. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you have heard of Jesus. Further, I'm going to assume you know that He was crucified on a cross. If, however, this is unfamiliar to you, I suggest reading from the New Testament before proceeding with this post. :)

So why do we not have a right to our self-justified grudges? Well. As I was standing there browning the hamburger for dinner, it occurred to me that if Jesus/Yeshua, Messiah, who is our role model, allowed his innocent, gentle, beautiful hands to be nailed to a cross and asked for forgiveness for these people who were killing Him that He came to save, how can we look at someone else and say, "You disagreed with me! He took my toy! She said something that hurt my feelings!" and be justified?

Just an idea. Forgive your brother or friend or mortal enemy. Ask to be forgiven. Mend bridges. And if you know someone holds a grudge against you, it is not "just their problem." Go try to fix it. See here:

Matthew 5:

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.    ²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
   ²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (NIV)


Every moment you're allowing that grudge into your life is like twisting that nail in Jesus' hand. Don't do it.


Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (KJV)



See what happens. I don't think you'll be disappointed.



 Note: I used NIV for the longer section on account of most people these days not caring for (or understanding) KJV,which is my normal translation.

*Opens giant can of worms* Rights.

During the socialized health care vote/debate/civil war, I heard someone make this statement, and it has troubled me since.

"Health care is a right just like education is a right."

A right, eh?

What is a right? We have the right to freedom of speech. We have the right to remain silent. We have the right to vote. We have the right to bear arms.

I see a distinct difference between the right to speak freely or bear arms and education:
Speaking is something which we have complete personal control over. Buying a firearm and carrying it is something which we have complete personal control over.
Education is a gift from the superior knowledge of another human being, and therefore we have no personal control over it.

Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) have studied and made knowledge of health care their possession, just as a mechanic's tool kit is his possession. Same with teachers. Their knowledge is their possession.

Treating the possession of another human being as a personal right is called thievery. Treating health care or education as a right is the same as stealing the mechanic's tools.

While I do not like Obama-care in the slightest, this is not an attack on it. I am merely pointing out a distinction in what is or is not a personal right.

By the way, you do not have the right to even BREATHE tomorrow. You could be in a car accident and die four hours from now. You don't know, do you? Be careful what you call a right, and make sure you have complete personal control over it.

*waits to see what crawls from the can of worms*