Forgiveness and Political Correctness

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

NKJV

Forgiving those that trespass against us is perhaps the most difficult thing most of us deal with in our lives.  We have all encountered that person, perhaps a close friend or even family member that does or says something that causes us sadness, anger, and frustration.  The hurt they cause in our hearts is long lasting and may even spill over into other relationships in our lives. 

Our fleshly side wants to lash out and respond in anger and frustration.  We feel justified in this because what they said or did offended us and since they offended us so much, we are entitled to vent our frustrations.  However, as Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us, to allow our flesh to lash out in unforgiveness presents an obstacle to God forgiving our trespasses.  After all, God the Father gave the world his only Son only to have Him rejected by the very people He sent His son to forgive.  If anyone was entitled to vent in some fit of rage towards humanity, it would be God the Father but thankfully, He did not and instead extends his hand of grace to us. 

Political correctness has become a way for people to lash out at those that offend them without having to forgive them.  The recent tragic shooting at the church in Charleston provides us with a prime example.

Instead of lashing out in anger at the needless loss of life, the friends and family members of the Charleston shooting victims offered Dylann Roof forgiveness and urged him to seek forgiveness from God for his sins.  (1)  These Godly people were not about to let the hateful actions of a psychotic young man stand in the way of their forgiveness from God the Father.  Our current politically correct society would see it as politically correct for them to cite Dylann Root’s race, his southern heritage, or even the fact that he photographed himself with the confederate flag as justification for lashing out in anger.  However, their pastor or shepherd, who unfortunately was among the victims, must have done an excellent job of teaching his flock the power of forgiveness.  Let us not forget to pray for those who lost friends and family members in the shooting.

Unfortunately, the media has moved on from remembering the victims of the shooting and now uses the shooting to spew their anti-gun agenda (2) as well as renewing efforts to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from society. (3) Instead of remembering the victims left behind and urging people to continue to support them and lift them up in prayer, the narrative has now become political.  In essence, the victims of the shooting are no longer flesh and blood people but are instead political pawns in the hands of opportunistic politicians and special interest groups. 

Even though the politicization of the Charleston shooting is shameful, the most dangerous part of the politicization of this tragedy is we are providing justification for hatred towards innocent people who had nothing to do with Dylann Root’s pulling the trigger.  Political correctness provides justification for hatred towards a flag and anyone seen flying it. 

This justification means it is now okay to pressure merchandisers to pull merchandise that sells in their stores, (4) thus cutting into these retailers profits, which could lead to the loss of some jobs.  It has also led to the justification of pulling popular TV shows from networks, which could have a negative impact on ratings and once again cost some jobs.  (5) It is also justifiable to now threaten boycotts of retailers choosing not to pull the Confederate Flag from their virtual or brick and mortar shelves causing businesses to make decisions on political correctness and not on the selling of products consumers want to buy.  (6)

I recommend we get real.  If something offends us, we should avoid it.  This means avoiding retailers that sell merchandise offensive to us and spending our money elsewhere.  I mean, I have no problem avoiding stores selling pornographic materials for this merchandise is offensive to me.  Why not use the same logic in avoiding stores selling the Confederate Flag if it offends you.  If you are watching TV and see an orange Dodge Charger with the Confederate Flag painted on it and feel offended, change the channel.  Why subject yourself to being offended?  Finally, if someone has wronged you or offended you in the past, tell them that you forgive them so that this unforgiveness does not present an obstacle to your receiving forgiveness from God. 

God gave the world His most prized possession, His only Son (John 3:16).  However, instead of embracing this gift of love, the world rejected it and put the Son of God in the cross (Isaiah 53:3).  In our politically correct modern society, God would have been justified in lashing out at humanity and destroying man for this rejection of His Son.  However, thankfully, God does not succumb to political correctness and instead extends each of us His hand of grace and mercy.  Shouldn’t we each follow His example and do the same. 

Take a moment right now and ask God to forgive any unforgiveness you may have in your heart towards anyone who has wronged you.  Then, if possible and if it will not put you in any danger, contact them and let them know you forgive them.  If you cannot contact them or it is not safe to do so, lift them up in prayer daily. 

Finally, if you have not asked God to forgive you of your sins, the wrong things you have done towards God, take a moment to pray with me. 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead, and now declare you Lord of my life.

The reaction of the living victims of the shooting in Charleston has given us a living example of forgiveness.  Let us not forget to continually lift them up in prayer and follow their example of forgiving others and not succumbing to political correctness justifying hatred towards others. 

1. Siemaszko, Rich Shapiro and Corky. Relatives of Charleston shooting victims offer forgiveness to Dylann Roof in first court appearance: ‘Their legacies will live in love, so hate won't win’ . www.nydailynews.com. [Online] Daily News, June 20, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/relatives-charleston-shooting-victims-offer-forgiveness-article-1.2264253.

2. Knickerbocker, Brad. Charleston: Another mass shooting, another fight over gun control (+video). www.csmonitor.com. [Online] The Christian Science Monotor, June 19, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0619/Charleston-Another-mass-shooting-another-fight-over-gun-control-video.

3. Seanna Adcox, Jeffery Collins and Meg Kinnard Associated Press. South Carolina governor calls for Confederate flag to come down. www.pressdemocrat.com. [Online] The Press Democrat, June 22, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4102257-181/confederate-flag-debate-grows-following?TSM.

4. Lee, MJ. Walmart, Amazon, Sears, eBay to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise. www.cnn.com. [Online] CNN Politics, June 24, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/22/politics/confederate-flag-walmart-south-carolina/.

5. Fisher, Luchina. TV Land Pulls 'Dukes of Hazzard' Reruns. abcnews.go.com. [Online] ABC News, July 1, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/tv-land-pulls-dukes-hazzard-reruns/story?id=32152437.

6. Shackford, Scott. Confederate Flag Purge Goes Nuts Almost Immediately, Hits Harmless Strategy Games. reason.com. [Online] Reason.com, June 25, 2015. [Cited: July 4, 2015.] http://reason.com/blog/2015/06/25/confederate-flag-purge-goes-nuts-almost.