We are all brothers and sisters.
I imagine that every
person on earth
has been affected in some
way by the destructive spirit
of contention,
resentment, and revenge.
The spirit of envy
and hatred has
led to some of the most
tragic stories in history.
Perhaps there are
even times when
we recognize this
spirit in ourselves.
We are not perfect.
The people around
us are not perfect.
Jess.
Jess, come on.
Mom needs the car.
People do things that annoy,
disappoint, and anger.
Though we cannot look
into another's heart,
we assume that we know a bad
motive or even a bad person
when we see one.
This topic of judging
others could actually
be taught in a two word sermon.
When it comes to hating,
gossiping, ignoring,
ridiculing, holding grudges,
or wanting to cause harm,
please apply the
following: Stop it!
Jessica!
Hey, why didn't you call me?
She's such a loser.
Hey, hurry up.
Get in the car.
Where were you?
Sorry.
You OK?
I'm fine.
Whatever.
Well, we've got a youth activity
tonight at the old folks home
in like 30 minutes.
Me and my friends are going
to go if you wanna come.
Mom, we're home.
Hey kids.
Just leave the keys
on the counter.
I'll be down in just a second.
Have fun at your activity.
All right, well, I'm
gonna start walking.
Are you coming?
No, I've got homework.
All right.
Well, don't drink all the juice.
We may get there
before the day is done.
Yeah.
OK.
Yeah here we go.
OK.
I went first, then you, Sam.
Draw.
Whatever.
He's going anyway.
It doesn't even matter.
He doesn't get to take it.
You love what?
Drama?
What, are you cheating?
You got a wild card
up your sleeve.
Are you kidding me, Sam?
This is why you always win.
You need to go
back to your room.
OK.
See ya, Sam.
Hey, are you the one that
made that picture of Melissa?
What picture?
You made her cry
in biology today.
Look, I was just joking
around, so people
need to stop taking
things so seriously.
Jessica?
Thanks for drinking
all the juice.
Jess.
Jess.
Jessica.
Jess.
Hey.
You OK?
I, uh, I looked at your phone.
Who wrote that?
Who cares?
They're right.
No, no, Jess.
Come here.
No they're not.
They don't know
who you really are.
I mean, Jess, they're
just kidding around.
You are just like them,
especially at school.
Haven't we all at one
time or another meekly
approached the mercy seat
and pleaded for grace?
Haven't we wished with all
the energy of our souls
for mercy, to be forgiven
for the mistakes we have made
and the sins we have committed?
Forgiving ourselves
and others is not easy.
In fact, for most of us
it requires a major change
in our attitude and
way of thinking,
even a change of heart.
Consider the following
questions as a self test.
Do you harbor a grudge
against someone else?
Do you gossip even when
what you say may be true?
Do you exclude, push
away, or punish others
because of something
they have done?
Do you secretly envy another?
Do you wish to cause
harm to someone?
If you answered yes to
any of these questions,
you may want to apply the
two word sermon from earlier.
Stop it.
There's enough heartache
and sorrow in this life
without our adding to it
through our own stubbornness,
bitterness, and resentment.
This mighty change of
heart is exactly what
the gospel of Jesus Christ
is designed to bring about.
I just wanted to say
I'm truly, truly sorry.
Let us be kind.
Let us forgive.
Let us talk peacefully
with each other.
Let us do good unto all men.
Allowing us to
see others the way
our Heavenly Father sees us,
as flawed and imperfect mortals
who have potential and worth far
beyond our capacity to imagine.
Because God loves us so much,
we too must love and forgive.
Remember, in the end it is
the merciful who obtain mercy.
