I like the Korean adage, “You don’t avoid crap because you are afraid of it. You avoid it because you don't want to step in it.”
I recently heard some “crap” about a tenant who wouldn't pay the last month’s rent before moving out. When demanded to make the final rent payment (and informed to expect the security deposit less the cost of repairs and cleaning), the tenant--knowing that the landlord was a Christian--said something to the effect, “How can you be a Christian and be that greedy? Don't be so darn stingy and money-hungry.” These comments were sprinkled with some foul words, I was told.
My daily devotion for this morning addressed the concept of forgiveness. But, how can we as followers of Christ effectively apply forgiveness and grace to people like the tenant described here? Do we simply walk away from the likes of him and eat up the cost, or do we take legal steps to seek justice and restitution?
I realize that every situation is unique. Yet, there has to be a general principle we can apply and use. Personalize this experience for yourself. What if the landlord lady was your wife or mother or sister or daughter? What advice would you give them? What if it were you? How would you react?
I want to lay out my thoughts on this topic as follows:
although we have been forgiven by God for every sin, every mistake, and every error, it’s impossible for us to be completely ‘God-like’ in forgiving others in life;
we should, of course, strive to forgive those who “trespass” against us, but forgiving does not mean just taking the “crap” they dish out;
forgiveness, in my opinion, is granted when wrong-doing is acknowledged and the desire to not repeat the same offense is clearly evident;
in certain cases, especially dealing with immature people like children and teenagers, grace can be administered to cover their errors even in the absence of full repentance;
there will be those who abuse others habitually, blaming everyone but themselves: such people should be avoided as much as possible; [1]
some people may only learn through the administration of law (we just need to remember that we’re not the judge);
make sure we don’t become someone else’s “crap”: interact with others legally, fairly, conscientiously, and biblically;
before blaming others, observe your own ways first: remember that life does not revolve around you—you are simply part of a larger tapestry, so don’t take yourself too seriously or significantly;
do unto others as you would want them to do unto you
Don't become someone else’s “crap": give off the fragrance of Jesus, not the foul stench of feces. That, I am sure, is a pretty good resolution for life--a perennial resolution, if you will.
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[1] I think avoiding “crap” is really important to enjoying life. In that sense, I feel for pastors, teachers, counselors and others who constantly deal with difficult people and cannot avoid them completely due to their vocational obligation.
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