Read Deuteronomy 15:1-15
Michael Vick was a football sensation, possibly on his way eventually to the Hall of Fame until his fall from grace. He was arrested and convicted on animal cruelty charges and went to prison. His career as the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons came crashing down. They released him from his contract, he was suspended by the NFL and it was doubtful whether anyone would ever want him to play for them again. Protesters capaigned for a permanent ban from football.
By last season, Vick had served his sentence in prison and his suspension from football ended. He was picked up by the Philadephia Eagles to be back up quarterback. He played only occasionally. That was to be the role for this season too until starting quarterback Kevin Kolb was injured. Vick took his place and played so well that it appeared he was headed for the starting position until he was injured himself. Now who knows what will happen.
The questions and commentary surrounding Vick's return to professional football involve forgiveness and reconciliation. The American public is still torn over this issue. Many still think that because of what Vick has done, he has no business being back on the football field. But as Christians, we are called to forgiveness and reconciliation. This doesn't mean excusing someone's actions, but it does mean letting go of grudges and moving forward in love. Should that include such actions as allowing a football player to take up his career again?
Under God's law, all debts in Israel were to be forgiven every seventh year. It didn't matter how large the debt was or how much had been repaid. In the seventh year, all Israelites slaves were to be released and given a generous allowance in order to prevent them from falling back into slavery. This illustrates the value God places on forgiveness and restoration.
Fortunately for all of us, God's grace and forgiveness are given much more freely and abundantly than ours. We always have conditions--for right or for wrong. Reconciliation is difficult work, and it is only possible because God continues to work in us and on us! Thanks be to God!
Why, do you think, did God instruct the Israelites to forgive one another's debts every seven years?
How is sin like debt? What does this Scripture teach us about how God wants us to respond to sin, particularly when others sin against us?
What do you think about Michael Vick or about those in such a public positition? Should he be allowed to return to his public position or not?
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As much as I did not like what Michael Vick did I do not think we are in position to judge him. I think that is between him and God and that is who he has to answer to. We have all done some things that other people would be upset about and think that we should not be given another chance but I beleive that God is the ONLY one that is our judge. So yes I wish Michael Vick the best(except when he plays the Cowboys) and I know God feels the same way since we left a hole in the roof so he can watch us play most of the time. So good luck to you Mr. Vick and I hope that you are on the same page with God and your not fooling yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Vick do a few Public Service Announcements about animal abuse or for the humane society (maybe he has...I don't watch much TV). On the other hand, that sets the bar pretty high for when I screw up and have to repent.
ReplyDeleteI have had experiences where it was really hard to forgive someone who sinned against me, even when I thought I wanted to forgive. I feel like that sort of enslaved me, and when I finally was able to forgive, it didn't really matter to the transgressor anymore, but I felt freed. So maybe the act of owning slaves is like holding a grudge...it keeps us in our own chains. Maybe if we still adhered to this 7-year forgiveness rule we would be a more peaceful society.
Wow, I really liked both of your comments. I do think lack of forgiveness often times enslaves us. Forgiveness often times changes us much more than the person we are forgiving. And certainly we know God forgives much more freely than we ever imaginied. Again, I think we are fortunate that judgment is up to God because we are much more judgmental than God is even though scripture tells us not to be.
ReplyDeleteAnd on another subject, God needs to be doing more than just watching the Cowboys right now. I would not be opposed to a little divine interruption and help, especially tonight.