So a new phrase has popped up over the last few weeks that expresses the nature of the world we now live in. It’s based on the premise that if someone does something, says something, or thinks something that is contradictory to what we think is acceptable, we move to shut them down and cast our vote of eternal damnation quicker than Twitter can post 140 characters or less. The phrase that describes this movement is, “cancel culture”.

Unfortunately, “cancel culture” is a phenomenon that happens on all sides of an argument. It has spread its tentacles through almost every aspect of society and there’s no one that hasn’t seen its effects. When someone posts an opinion that contradicts the vocal majority…cancelled. When an organization missteps in their treatment of a certain issue…cancelled. When an athlete takes a stand against something that others don’t agree with…cancelled.

Businesses have suffered its wrath. Individuals have succumbed to its power. Leaders have crippled under its weight. And the next generation has been inundated with its normalcy.

But there’s one thing that I’ve become supremely thankful for when it comes to “cancel culture”. This viral expression of displeasure has made me 10x more appreciative that the Kingdom of God does not employ the same tactics!

Regardless of how many times I mess up, regardless of how many times I willingly choose to be selfish, regardless of how many times I say something I later regret, regardless of how many times I act like my old self, Jesus is there to offer me His forgiveness and grace! As Christians we exist in both a temporal, earthly kingdom and an eternal, heavenly kingdom. Though the earthly kingdom has adopted a cancel culture, the heavenly kingdom maintains a forgiveness culture. And that is Good News!

If we confess to Jesus that we are sinners in need of His grace and commit our lives to Him as our Lord, He accepts us as full and permanent members into His forgiveness culture. Does that mean we have the right to go on sinning without remorse? The Apostle Paul would say “by no means!” (Romans 6:15). Instead, we are called to let God’s abundant grace make us more thankful and joyful; two emotions that should affect every action, word, and thought.

So how does that impact the earthly kingdoms we live in? Does that mean that everyone should get off “scot free” and face zero consequences for their sinful deeds? By no means! There should be earthly consequences for sinful actions because without them we’d live in a lawless state where no one is safe. If someone breaks the law or commits a crime against their fellow man, there absolutely should be repercussions. However, there should also be forgiveness!

Forgiveness is hard. It’s long. It’s counterintuitive. But it’s worth it! When we realize just how much Jesus has forgiven us and granted us access to His forgiveness culture, we should be more prone to offer it to others. No matter the situation or crime, forgiveness has the power to change both the offended and the offender.

A forgiveness culture extends an olive branch where a cancel culture extends a stiff arm. A forgiveness culture builds a restored community where a cancel culture builds walls. A forgiveness culture tears down years of bitterness where cancel culture tears down years of progress.

So what do we do as citizens of both a cancel culture and a forgiveness culture? We have to allow the latter to infiltrate the former! We have to reflect the same forgiveness we’ve been offered by Christ to those that wrong us. Yes, we should still stand for justice, enforce laws, and impose appropriate consequences, but we should also offer forgiveness, apply grace, and trust eternal justice to God.

Before I close, I’d like to challenge us to reflect on some verses. Consider allowing these Scriptures to soak into your heart…

Ephesians 4:32: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Mark 11:25: And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

All that to say, let’s praise God for granting us access to His forgiveness culture and allow that thankfulness to permeate the cancel culture we live in. Stand for justice but also stand as agents of grace. Jesus has made possible reconciliation between us and the Father and He’s given us the “ministry of reconciliation” as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Blessings to you all!

Parker