Do you recognize the name Donald Sterling?  If you follow NBA basketball or watch the news you do.  He owns the Los Angeles Clippers and recently (and not so recently) made racist statements that don’t merit keystrokes in this blog.  It’s his most recent remarks that I’d like to weigh in on.

In a CNN interview on Sunday he said, “…I’m here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I’ve hurt.”

God forgives and people forgive – but can a nation or culture forgive?  Can Poland forgive Germany as it raped, murdered, and destroyed its way across Poland as its armies moved east to invade Russia?  Can it forgive Russia for doing the same thing as it marched west to invade Germany?

Can Israel forgive Germany for the 6 million people murdered in concentration camps?

Can African-Americans really forgive a nation that (at least in the south) gave the slave traders a marketplace?

Can _____________________ – you fill in the blank.

I’m not sure the National Basketball Association can forgive Donald Sterling.  Magic Johnson can forgive him. Individual players, retired or playing today, can forgive him. The coach of the Clippers can forgive him.  But I don’t think a nation, an association (NBA), or a team can forgive.  Forgiveness happens between individuals. It’s one-on-one (to use a basketball metaphor)!  It’s messy. It’s up close and personal.

When you sin against some, don’t say “I’m sorry if you took what I said wrong” or “I’m sorry if you got hurt” or “I’m really not that kind of person”.  Say “I’m so sorry I allowed such a thought to enter my mind or word to proceed from my lips or deed to be acted out. I’m shamed by what I did or said.  I will not be able to live in emotional, spiritual, or mental health until you forgive me. I don’t deserve it – but please forgive me!”

I might add this also works really well in our relationship with God. J

Blessings!

Pastor Mark