Adopting the Right Attitude

And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same?

Matthew 5:47 (NASB)

One Sunday morning, on her way to church, a young Christian girl ran into one of her former classmates with whom she had been estranged since school. Remembering what had happened, she decided not to greet her and to pretend not to see her. Her classmate, having noticed her attitude, refused to do the same. Accompanied by her family, she approached her, greeted her, and introduced her to her husband and the other family members present. Her classmate joyfully praised their friendship and deep relationship at school.

After hearing all the compliments from her former classmate, she felt embarrassed and ashamed. She didn't know what to say, because it wasn't what she expected. She thought her former classmate would adopt the same attitude as her, walking past her without saying anything. Instead, her friend even mentioned their disagreement and apologized in front of everyone. The most surprising thing is that it was her old friend's husband who was going to preach at church that day.

You probably recognize yourself in this story, in one way or another. Perhaps there is someone you no longer speak to because the harm they did to you has exceeded the limits of what is acceptable. If you know it, God knows it too. Yet, He asks you to forgive and forget. Jesus didn't mention the word forgiveness in His teaching, but when you think about it, the only way to welcome someone we consider an enemy is to forgive them. Our story can also be yours, so adopt the attitude of the old classmate: forget the past and ask for forgiveness if necessary.

May God's grace and peace be with you all.