Forgiveness in a Cancel Culture

“But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give will become in that person a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.”

John 4:14 (CEV)

She was cut off. Alone. She’d only go out to the community water well when no one else would be there. She had made bad choices in her life, and they shunned her for it.

Been there? Have you been or felt “cancelled” by people because of something you did? We all need mercy sometimes. Gut-wrenching forgiveness. And we often forget others need it, too.

In this Bible story, Jesus chose the right time to be at the well so he could talk to this woman. She started arguing with him immediately, wondering why he would even bother. But he patiently broke down all her walls. And he offered her a new life.

In this new life, he could forgive her. His granting of grace could make her innocent before God so she could live eternally with him. It could also give her life back in the here and now. Encountering Jesus and his love could free her from isolation and release her from the grip of sin. She could have hope for a better future—eternal life with God. And she shared the chance for a new life with others. Many of the people who heard her testimony believed in Jesus.

That’s the forgiveness we desperately need. People might cancel us. But Jesus offers life to all who truly repent. He can give eternal life, and he can turn things around for us today.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

In what ways do your peers judge each other? Is it fair? How can Jesus’ perspective change the cancel culture? Look back through your social media feed to find judgmental statements. Make up a comment that Jesus might reply.

INSPIRATION

“When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons.”

—John Newton, English slave trader who became an abolitionist and a pastor in the 1700s, writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Refer to the tabbed Bible references to read the passages today.

Psalm 51:1–2

Isaiah 43:25

John 3:17

Romans 6:1–2