Psalms 133:1-3 – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Could the message from these few words be any clearer? Yes, I know how hurts from brothers and sisters in Christ leave deep scars and are long in healing. Trust has been broken, a fact we cannot erase but one which we must learn to deal with just as Jesus did: He put those things in the past where they belonged. Now He does caution us on repetition of sin (see John 5:14 and 8:11), but nowhere are we commanded not to forgive the sins of others, especially in our church fellowship. Forgiveness is a totally unselfish act even though it does the forgiver more good than the one forgiven. What I mean is that the one who forgives bears no sin from whatever event occurred. Of course, since trust has been broken we are much less likely to accept this person at face value again – once bitten, twice shy – but holding a grudge makes black marks in the heart. To be like Jesus we must let our heart be as bright as the sun (see Matthew 5:16). Egos must take a back seat – way in the back, like that pew we claim each Sunday. The past is gone and cannot be undone. If we can all live with the Lord as our center, we might just spread a light with so many lumens that we need sunglasses at night.