Grudge Match

Some sporting events are described as a grudge match.  Sometimes it's the third game of a three game series.  Both teams have one a game and this will decide it all.  Sometimes it's when the last game between these two had some controversy attached to it.  Neither team is quite satisfied with that outcome, and they are going to settle it here.  It's hard to say how much is what the players feel and how much is hype.  But the sense is that they are still playing the last game.

How many times are we playing in a grudge match.  I mean how many times in our dealings with people are we still replaying the last issue as we are dealing with this one.

 

Now let's be clear about this.  There are legitimate problems and if they are never dealt with they will resurface over and over again.  A leaky roof will let in water every time that it rains.  When issues are left unresolved they will continue to resurface.  But once the leaks are patched, once the issues are settled they need to be left alone.  Replaying the disagreement or turning every issue into a grudge match doesn't help.

The hard part is when one person is happy enough to leave it settled and the other person wants to bring it up again.  In the book of Romans it reminds us that we can only control ourselves in these issues.  That we need to be at peace as much as it is in our control.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. - Romans 12:18

It reminds us that we are responsible for our own attitudes and grudges.  As Christians, we are called to forgive everyone who has wronged us for every reason.  When a person seeks out forgiveness from us, that makes it easier.  Much easier.  But their repentance is not a prerequisite for our forgiveness.  

Watch this clip from Pastor Chris.

We are called to forgive everyone for everything.  There is not a lot of gray area there.