Let Go and Forgive

January 18, 2026

Pastor Patrick presented today's message, "Let Go and Forgive." A video of today's message is here on YouTube. It may help to be familiar with the message but that is not required to enjoy the thoughts below.

Once again, Leviticus 19:18 pops up. This, of course, is the scripture reference of one of the most often used phrases in religious circles, "love your neighbor as yourself." But that's not all it says. The verse also weighs in on holding on to anger. Here's the full verse: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." (NIV)

Related, but not directly addressed in today's message, is the notion of forgiving oneself. Here's one interesting article on that topic (of many): What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself?

As Pastor Patrick pointed out, the word for forgive in Ephesians 4:32 also includes the notion of pardoning. The Greek word is charizomai (χαρίζομαι) which is derived from charis, a familiar Christian term meaning grace.

The related Hebrew Old Testament (OT) word for forgive, sah-lakh (סָלַח), also carries the notion of pardoning. It's used often in Leviticus with all the processes for making atonement and being forgiven/pardoned. The use of the word continues in Numbers as the Israelites wandering in the wilderness need more and more forgiveness. Interestingly, the subject of the verb in all 47 OT occurrences is God. As BibleHub.com points out, "pardon originates in the heart of God rather than in human initiative, ritual, or merit." It's also interesting to note that the first use of the word in the Old Testament is by Moses following the story of the Golden Calf requesting forgiveness from God for his stiff-necked people (Exodus 34:9).

We often hear the term pardon in cases of serious criminal offenses such as presidential pardons that free convicted criminals. In a fairly dramatic conversation that Moses and God have regarding God's threat to destroy the Israelites (following particularly bad behaviour by the Israelites), Moses talks God into "pardoning" them all. See Numbers 14.

Bonus

Remember "Trace"?



Each week, I find the video link for that week's message on the church's YouTube page by sorting the "Videos" list to "Latest." On a whim this week, I sorted to "Oldest" and found "This Is Us Part 1" posted February 4, 2019 (probably recorded the day before, the Sunday of Super Bowl LIII). At the outset on this recording, Pastor Patrick mentioned this was only the second gathering of this new church community, Trace Church at North Gate. Our family was there that day!

Early in the message, Patrick noted that the name of the church, Trace Church, was a mash-up of TRuth and grACE. Apparently GRUTH wasn't seen as a viable option. He went on to discuss how those in the truth camp differ from those in the grace camp and that it's not an either/or situation, it's a both situation. If you want to dive a little deeper into Biblical truth and grace, watch the video (New Testament) and visit these links (Old Testament):

Grace in the Old Testament from Zondervan Academic

Truth Decay Old Testament from Baptist News Global

God's Truth in the Old Testament by ScriptureWay

The name of the church was changed to TimberCreek Church not too long afterward. I like the new name imagery as well: "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers" (Psalm 1:3).

Bonus2

Build Your Own Pizza

"Build Your Own Pizza" turned out to be a great way to do Family Dinner. Everybody got exactly what they wanted, had fun in the process, and they all fit in the oven at once so that everyone was ready to eat at the same time. Available as toppings were three kinds of sauces, grilled onions, grilled red peppers, bacon, browned sausage, sliced olives, various cheeses, and jalapeno slices. Trader Joe's premade pizza dough works quite well. Antonio made some great brownies for dessert.

We played Bible Baseball for our program and watched a Prager 5-minute video about family dogs, values, and living a full life means some pain: Want a Full Life? Prepare for Pain.

Bonus3

Day of Service

As I write this, it's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (often "MLK Day") in the United States, the third Monday of January each year. The day honors the legacy of Dr. King who helped lead a nonviolent civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

Did you know it's also the only federal holiday to be designated by Congress as a national "Day of Service" as well? As some people put it, it's a "Day On, not a Day Off" when it comes to serving people in your community. It's a day to honor MLK Jr.'s legacy by giving back. It's a good time to connect with veteran services organizations. Or maybe give blood. Or haul groceries for a shelter.

And then keep that up throughout the year, whatever it is you choose to do to serve others.