When a lead pastor found out vandals had completely destroyed a church bus he used to help at-risk folks, his first instinct was to get angry.
With smashed windows and the interior torn to shreds – this life-saving bus was no longer operable.
But instead of responding in his flesh and taking vengeance into his own hands – this pastor gave a radical message to those who damaged his property.
The lead pastor of the church is Dr. Wade Runge, a retired U.S. Marine who has seen violence and devastation throughout his service to our great nation.
He recalled how God saved His life, and now he wants to extend that same forgiveness to others.
Faithwire reported:
“I allowed myself a moment or two to be angry, but the Holy Spirit just arrested my spirit and reminded me how God saved me,” he said. “What this person needs is forgiveness.”
Incredible.
And he wasn’t just speaking words to sound “Christian” to those listening.
Runge actually went a step further and invited the vandals who destroyed his bus to come into his church, promising to serve them however he could.
Faithwire continued:
“I’m hoping this person sees this broadcast. … You are welcome to come to our church,” he said. “If you have a need, I’ll give you some groceries. … I want to show them the love of Jesus.”
What a beautiful act of underserved grace and mercy!
God tells us to love our enemies and be kind to those who persecute us.
Runge could have responded in rage and anger, but instead he wanted to show his enemies the tangible love of Jesus Christ.
And yes, if the pastor had decided to press charges, he wouldn’t have been wrong to do so, as there are systems in place for those who break the law and damage the property of others.
But his decision not to and his reason behind it reveals his heart – a heart that has internalized the incredible forgiveness Jesus Christ has given to those who have repented and put their trust in Him.
As Romans 5:8 reminds us “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus died for us – while we were at our worst.
We didn’t deserve compassion and forgiveness, but through His love He gave it to us.
What a beautiful testimony to a dying world – that we can be like Christ and show the same compassion and forgiveness to others…
… especially when we’ve been wronged.
Let’s pray that those who vandalized the church bus take the pastor up on his offer and turn from their ways – so they may have eternal life in Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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