I have to say I’m not a big Don Imus fan. It’s obvious his morals, values, beliefs and political views don’t line-up with mine. However, due to the recent developments about his latest comments, many who don’t tune into Don Imus are now getting very familiar with him. For those living in a cave Don Imus made a racial remark about the ladies of Rutgers Basketball. As expected many in the black community were offended by this careless thought. There have also been many that have chimed in on the debate, as to weather he should be fired, that could have political or influential gain by picking a side. It’s interesting to me that Don Imus has been a champion of the Liberal movement, but now they have turned.
This morning on a news talk show, a reporter asked Al Sharpton if he could forgive Don Imus since Rev. Sharpton is a christian? You see, even the secular press, unchurched society and non-christian community knows that the message of forgiveness is expected by God. Al Sharpton said it had nothing to do with forgiveness, it had to do with a racist comment and Don Imus needed to be fired.
Well, there is a lot that can be said about this whole thing. First, what Don Imus said was indeed a very distatseful comment. It had deragatory words and was meant to demeen and put down the black ladies of this woman’s basketball team. Even if it was said just to be funny or stimulate discussion, it was distatseful and showed the dark workplace humor that fills most offices. Second, this is being blasted because it offended a very vocal and political minority group. Had this comment been said about a Christian basketball team with different demeening words, I wonder if it would have gone unnoticed. Third, he should be fired or disciplined if it was against company policy to say anything discriminating or derogatory toward a people group. Fourth, Al Sharpton is right, forgiveness is seperate from consequences for your actions.
Should Don Imus be forgiven? YES. There is no condition or action that excuses us from forgiveness. It should be offered and given. God did not even say that someone should ask before you give forgiveness. He simply said to forgive. It’s up to them to receive it. Forgiveness is simply releasing someone from the debt they may have incurred by hurting you. It is a release of emotions. However, forgiveness does not release us from consequences. Mercy can excuse the consequence and grace can heal the consequence, but the consequence is always there.
Man sinned against God and the consequence was spirtual and physical death. God’s mercy provides a gift to correct this death. He gave His only begotten Son and all who receive Him will have etrnal life. Physical death is still a consequence that exist, but Eternal life is God mercy. God’s grace allows all to recieve this gift, His grace erases our sins and He remembers them no more…but physical death is still the consequence of sin. When someone hurts you or you make a mistake, some consequences may never go away, but grace and mercy can create a new life that is better than ever before. Don’t make the mistake and believe forgiveness excuses consequences, but don’t let the consequences excuse your from receiving forgiveness.
Be Forgiven.
Bryan
I agree. Too fast to give judgement now days.