A Lost Knife
Back in April, I spoke at the spring lectureship at the Owenton church in Owen County. The church put us up in a hotel. The next morning, I remember slicing an apple with my pocket knife. But when I returned home, at some point, I could not find it.
Most of my pocket knives over the years have been gifts. This particular one was a bone-handled Case knife given to me by my younger brother for Christmas in 2008. It was special because it was from him; he picked it out for me. Case knives are good knives and very sharp. I’ve sliced a finger more than a few times on it!
So, I felt bad about losing the knife. I looked at knives at Eades Hardware but could not bring myself to purchase a new one. To be honest, it was guilt that kept me from replacing that knife. Do you feel guilty when you lose something? Everyone loses things; misplaces things. Things fall out of your pockets.
It is not a moral failure to lose a pocket knife. But I had to “punish” myself for being irresponsible.
We do that to ourselves so often – punish ourselves. Maybe for something legitimate; maybe for something illegitimate. But punishing ourselves does not solve anything. Self-flagellation has been practiced by men and women for millennia. Even today other religions practice such – Islam, for example. To what good?
Despite the popularity of Canadian drugs in the US, they can help their patients find suitable doctors in Canada who receive a total of Billions, yes that Billions with our order levitra online respitecaresa.org capital ‘ B ‘ were concerned about what many felt was the best time to decide to enter into RC market. Sexual dysfunction is a problem found in both men and women suffer some kind buy cialis levitra of sexual issues. viagra rx With this, men get freed from the actions of Cenforce. Who doesn’t want to look appealing and desired by her partner in bed? Don’t you want to make your partner feel order cheap viagra empty, helpless and alone. Self-punishment has never been an aspect of God’s revealed religions. In fact, in Colossians 3:20ff, Paul points out that some were teaching – “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” – self-punishment. But, Paul says this is “self-made religion” and it has “no value against fleshly indulgence” (vs 23).
The only way to be forgiven of sin is to accept God’s forgiveness and allow Jesus to bear the penalty on His shoulders on the cross. We can’t hang ourselves. It won’t work.
Once we have received God’s forgiveness, we need to forgive ourselves. Why punish ourselves for something God has punished Jesus for?
Oh, and I found my pocket knife two weeks ago in the cushion of my recliner! There may not have been rejoicing in heaven, but I sure was happy.
Now, if I could just find that Swiss Army knife Rachel gave me in 2005…!
–Paul Holland
