Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't get mad, I get even?" I've not only heard it, I've said it! It sounds virtuous on the surface, as if getting even is somehow better than a temper tantrum! There is no virtue in getting even. In fact, according to Jesus, it is contrary to the atmosphere and character of the Kingdom of Heaven. Imagine how different the world would be if we took Jesus' advice. How different would you be in your inner life, if you left those things that you are mad about at the foot of the cross? How would your stress lessen if you chose not to take everything so personally? What if you resolved today that, as a follower of Jesus, forgiveness would be your paradigm no matter what? It probably goes without saying but I feel I need to say it, Jesus was not laying down a new rule for a utopian society. In our text for Sunday, (Matthew 18:21-35), we'll see that Jesus was teaching us how to live with one another as Kingdom citizens in the "every-day." Of course there will be consequences for law-breakers and violators of moral conduct. The "powers that be" are responsible before Him to see that justice is carried out. Truthfully, most of us don't live in that realm every day. We do however, have husbands, wives, kids, siblings, parents, neighbors and work associates that intentionally or unintentionally hurt us. We live in a broken world and offenses are sure to come. What do we do? How do we respond? When we have been cranky, we want people to understand and "cut us some slack." But when people are cranky to us, are we quick to extend the same grace? It would be better for them AND FOR US if we did. We must never forget that the teachings of Jesus are not burdensome. The apostle John meant that Jesus' commands are not to make our lives worse but rather, His teachings are for our good. As we have sometimes said, Jesus came to give us a flourishing life. That life will not be possible if we disregard His good teachings. His teachings about forgiveness are good...good for us...and good for others. As we will see Sunday, if we are quick to take offence and slow to forgive, we should really question whether we have received God's forgiveness. Once we really understand and experience God's grace, it will change us. When we understand the magnitude of our sins to God, the sins of others against us will begin to seem pretty small. Don't get mad, don't get even...forgive as you have been forgiven.