It wasn’t that long ago when if someone would say “I’m sorry” that most people would be willing to give that person another chance. Even if a well-known person would go on TV and apologize and say they were wrong, most would be willing to give that person a break.But that’s changed over the past few years. We’ve entered an era where many would prefer to “throw stones”—refusing to forgive. It’s called the “cancel culture” and its dominating our internet and social media. Now it’s gotten down to our personal lives. If someone, especially a famous person, has said or done something wrong that the “cancel culture” finds offensive, they throw stones refusing to forgive, even if it happened 30 years ago.In one way, the cancel culture has filled a void. It used to be that Christians stood up for what the Bible says is right and wrong. But today many Christians are dominated by the false idea of “tolerance.” Now I’m NOT saying that we should not forgive. What I want to point out is that the cancel culture may be standing up for “right and wrong” but it is without any of the wisdom and restraint—forgiveness—that Christians are to have.Jesus told a story about two men who went to the temple to pray, one was a Pharisee and the other a “tax collector” (Luke 18). Now at that time, most thought that Pharisees were the best of people, while tax collectors were traders and immoral.The Pharisee stood in full view of everyone and said, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:11-12). Notice what this Pharisee did. First – he declared how righteous he was. Then, just in case God missed it, he tells God WHY he’s SO righteous. Now giving generously to God is a good thing! Proverbs 3:9-10 says “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” AND fasting is a good thing (Isa. 58:8-10). But notice that God says in the Isaiah passage that fasting is a good thing, but it must not be done without “pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness.”Then the tax collector ...
