“Forgive your enemies it messes with thier (sp) minds,” is the message posted on the lawn sign of a local church. A casual reading of those words may bring a smile to your lips and it may even sound funny or humorous. When I drove by that church and read those words it saddened my heart to realize that someone would allow theology like that to be displayed for the world to see. In my opinion, messages on church signs indicate the heart of those who attend and are members of that congregation. If that message reflects the theology of that particular congregation there is significant trouble brewing.
We don’t forgive our enemies or love our enemies to ‘mess with their minds.’ This statement reveals that this congregation does what God does but for a far different reason – to ‘mess’ with someone’s mind – to damage their spiritual growth – to do some harm. This statement reveals intent that seems to be malicious not intentional love as the love that Jesus spoke of and taught. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who hate us. He said that we are to love one another as He loves us. Jesus loves us so much that He went to the cross for us. He didn’t forgive those who were His enemies to ‘mess’ with their minds, He forgave them so that we could all be part of a restored people, restored back to God who created us in His very Image.
As I write this I am praying for that congregation and the pastor who permitted such flawed theology to be expressed in such a public way.
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