I LOVE to HATE OJ
All weekend long I heard chatter about OJ. It seems everyone (including myself) was just giddy. He was sentenced to up to 33 years in prison on Friday for his role in an armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers inside a Las Vegas hotel room.
I don’t know what it is about this guy, but it seems we all love to hate him. And I will agree there seems to be a lot to hate.
A seemingly arrogant spirit.
Possible murder.
Blown talent.
Crook.
But why do I LOVE to hate him?
Is it about revenge?
Does it make me feel better about myself?
Does focusing on immorality around me allow me to ignore the immorality in me?
The thing I tend to forget is Scripture is full of people like David and Moses who committed murder and embodied so many other character defects. And yet, God used them. Not only did he use them, they would become the heroes of our faith. The truth is many of the individuals God used throughout Scripture would have NO chance of ever being hired in any of our churches today.
Why don’t we have more leaders in our faith and in churches who have had moral and ethical failures?
Because we love to shoot our own. We love to hate people that have screwed up. We love the sensational scandal.
But let me say this. Giving up on OJ. Giving up on Ted Haggard. Giving up on Brad Johnson. Giving up on the hundreds of Christian leaders who fall every year is not a statement on them. It’s a statement on our belief in God’s redeeming work.
Do you believe God can redeem OJ’s life? Let me ask a more probing question. Do you really WANT God to redeem OJ’s life?
Maybe the reason we don’t have more OJ’s and David’s and Moses’s leading in our churches today is because as a Christian community we’ve slammed the door on God’s redeeming work in the lives of people who have screwed up.
We’ve stopped looking into the eyes of the fallen and speaking redeeming, loving words. We’ve stopped telling them here is who you can become.
Old habits can change.
Old patterns can be rewired.
You can become the person God had in mind when he thought you into existence.
So who do you love to hate? Who have you given up on? Who needs you to believe in them again?
Praying for OJ… it seemed as though during the sentencing and at the ripe age of 61; that was the only crack in his voice I’ve heard through his entire career, murder trial, civil trial… God continue to break Him and draw him closer to you!
This post brought Francine Rivers’ book, “Redeeming Love”, to mind- might need to go read that again- it’s one of my all time favorites.
There’s actually two real life people that fit this category for me. One of them I’m in an everyday contact with….
mmmmm…. I need to get with Jesus on this.. on my knees..
thank you for the reminder of my own arrogancy.
Ah, this is something I’ve thought about a lot, and it seems to come back to pride for me. I focus on “these” types of people and their “horrible sins” because I can then at least think “well at least I don’t do X” which is simply my lame attempt at building myself up and forgetting that God has already accepted me and loves me right where I am. I shouldn’t feel like I have anything to prove, but I try to find my identity in being better than some people instead of accepting the beautiful identity I have in Christ.
aside from the whole theistic point of view (I’m an atheist), when did we give up on the idea of rehabilitation…?
or am I being far too idealistic…?
; )
I’m pretty sure I root for certain people to get their comeuppance because of all the other people I have contact with during my week who seem to be flaunting the rules while I plod along following them. The drivers who speed past me while I’m going the limit and don’t get tickets. The line jumpers who don’t get called out. The people who carry on loud cell phone conversations in my space without worrying whether they are inconveniencing me or others. Those who steal while I walk back into the store to pay for the one item I find still lying in the back corner of my grocery cart. OJ is just a symbol for me of all the smug rule-breakers who finally get caught.
It’s totally petty of me, I know. It’s not like I’ve NEVER lied, cheated, or gone over the speed limit myself!
So, Pete, got any suggestions on how to get right on this subject? I am willing to change. I’m just not sure how to go about it, or what to think instead of thinking, “yippee, he finally got caught!”
This reminds me of something you said yesterday morning…You asked us “Who in your life have you given up on?” I love that you followed that with something along the lines of “that attitude reflects your faith in God” This thought has stuck with me since yesterday. Unfortunately, I lose faith in people and Gods ability to change their lives. I’m thankful to be reminded of this and my prayer going forward is that God would expand and widen my faith, that I will begin to pray earnestly for those who need Jesus and for myself as well… that old habits change, old patterns are rewired, and that we can become who God created us to be!
I really don’t hate anything, except coconut (gross me out)!
Sharing a bit here…God is still working this in my life but the way He started was HARD! In Aug 2005, God asked me what I would do if the person that molested me as a child was in Heaven? Oh, Forgiveness!
I have been forgiven so much, how can I hold someone else accountable without offering forgiveness at the end of the day? I needed the reminder today as I’m dealing with someone that desires to hang onto pride and the ‘safety’ of the known…when God is calling us to Him, in the unknown.
Thank you, Pete!
pete…thanks for posting this. Maybe the church could take more ground for the kingdom if stories of redemption and restoration were the norm and not the exception. I love your heart and appreciate your support of me and my restoration.
It takes a huge level of commitment to walk with someone as God restores them. HUGE. I think we are afraid of that and I think we are afraid that they will fail again and we struggle to trust them.
Honestly, in some we may not see a heart change so we are skeptical.
It takes alot of work, alot of love, alot of commitment. And it takes taking a chance, which is scary.
I’ve extended the hand of grace and seen God do a miracle.
I’ve watched others that I felt like came back to leadership too soon and the patterns remain and people are hurt – again.
I want to believe deeply in God’s grace and transformation.
@Justin, You’re family is a perfect example of the beauty of restoration.
If you’re reading this comment you should jump over and read Justin’s blog here… http://www.refineus.org/
God is doing an amazing work in his marriage and ministry!
Right or Wrong – we as a church body expect our leaders to be more than we are – more than human.
I wonder if part of it is the fact that we couldn’t handle the world’s ridicule if we were to continue to hold up and support a person after they have had a major set back.
Hypocrisy starts with an inability to be completely transparent.
We say we value transparency – but do we really? I think we hunger for it… but do we value it?
A lot of women will probably hate me after this, but something about Oprah gets under my skin.
I have struggled with the OJ thing. I have said lots of prayers this week for the Goldman family. Seeing them in the courtroom broke my heart.
I know people think that New Lifers have given up on Ted, but we haven’t. Things had to change so that everyone could be restored, but we’re all praying a powerful ministry for him. I think that’s how he “raised” us. As for OJ, for me, I think it’s just about justice. I do believe so strongly that he is an unrepentant murderer, and I was so crushed by his acquittal (gosh it still seems like yesterday). I like to see evidence that God is still interested in justice.
Wow, Pete. Just wow.
P.S. When I see someone “getting away with it” I fear that God has given up on them. I like to see people held accountable (even in mild ways) because it is good for their soul. I’d certainly rather see anyone punished now rather than later.
OK, sorry. I am just all over the place this morning. But if you want to read about some serious and difficult restoration, just click over to my first blog: http://www.poured.blogspot.com
Last comment of the day…promise!;)
Wow. Your entries are piercing lately – in a good way. I’m really going to have to think about this.
in fact just today dealing with wanting to feel the redeeming hope and yet fighting anger against another. Wondering how I can feel sympatny, empathy, compassion and anger at the same time …..
I’ve thought about this alot since yesterday’s message. The truth of the matter is, apart from the cross, we’re all just as guilty as O.J.
So, can O.J. be redeemed? Of course he can.
Seems like I remember something from yesterday about “anything is possible.”
There is a woman here that sort of attacked my character and questioned my ability to be here (to serve to love to whatever) and so in return I use that as an excuse to tear her down and use all of her short comings as launch pad rather then choosing to love and honor her as a woman, fellow believer, human being. Yeah, I need to find a way to figure it out with her.
Redemption is an amazing concept. Great post Pete
Unconditional love is a hard thing to be successful at. Is it even possible in this fallen world?
“Loving the unlovable”, “loving the sinner, hating the sin” (where DO we get this phrases?)
There is no one I hate. There are things I do not like: Molestation, Divorce, Addiction, Apathy. I’ve had to move toward loving unconditionally in all of these areas. Not perfect yet, but getting there…..
I have two people in my life who I don’t take pleasure in seeing fail, but I do think part of me has given up on them… which is why this punched me in the gut. I struggle with reaching out/trying again because playing the game and being the doormat doesn’t seem like the right solution either. And how do you handle it when they have seriously wounded people you love, and don’t have remorse or take responsibility? I know I should pray for them more, but beyond that… it’s hard to know how to be in relationship with them.
Good point…i love to hate Britney Spears. I wish she would just go away. I was asking myself the same thing last night, why do I hate her so much? Hhy do I delite in her misery? Why do I loathe her “comeback” and not want to see her succeed? I think it’s all one big fat lie, if you ask me, made up so she can make more money. That is just my opinion. I guess no matter what we will always have our Britney’s and O.J.’s….
I love to hate anyone who happens to come along who makes the mistake of exhibiting the characteristics I hate the most in myself. Arrogant? Get over yourself! (I usually think I’ve got it goin’ on). Selfish? I hate self centered people! (I’ve thought about myself about 90% of the time so far today). Greedy? I condemn you for your lack of generosity! (Did I mention I have some new software but but I’m behind on my tithe?). Not enough faith in Christ to deal with life? What a Loser! (Where do I begin…)
Who I hate? Those that remind me of me usually.
@Bill, Why did you have to go there? Ouch, that really hurt.
@Pete….wow man, sorry…. Mind you I’m not generalizing to others. Only talking about me…again. ;>)
@Carl: Curious, who’s giving up on rehabilitation and what’s the connecton? I’m intrigued.
Weird … I was actually disgusted at the Goldman family this morning on the Today Show. I don’t want to defend OJ for what he did or didn’t do to their son back in ’94 but they just seemed so spiteful and angry and only interested in seeing the destruction of a person. Which to me is just as a bad as the physical act of violence murder and aggression perpetrated against their son.
I love to hate the University of North Carolina basketball team. I hate everything about them from the wussy shade of blue they wear to the the unknown players who decide to have career games against Duke, *cough Donald Williams cough*, to the unbelievably lucky bounces they get also when they play Duke.
Another group I love to hate are Democrats and it is not for their policies it is the double standard that is applied to them. If a Republican did what Ted Kennedy did at Chappaquidick than they would either be in jail or out of office. They would not be revered they way he is revered. If a Republican was a KKK member like Sen. Robert Byrd was the uproar for their resignation would be astounding. I could go on all day about the double standard but I will keep it at that.
@Dale Best…I agree. I think they’ll be disappointed if O.J. is ever actually destroyed. At least now they have the hope that peace will come with his demise. With O.J.s destruction not only will come the realization that they weren’t granted peace, but that they’ve lost their hope for peace as well. But this is all too easy for me to say since I didn’t suffer their loss.
I love to hate child molestors. I struggle with the idea that a catholic priest cannot “fall from grace.” Then again, who am I to judge? They just better not do it to one of my children or I will be having a “fall from grace’ discussion involving myself for murder.
@Bill…yeah, thanks for that one. I think you said exactly what’s been on my mind as I have been reading through these. It frustrates me so that I play the blame and hate game. Seriously.
@Bill … great point!
I needed this one today after having some recent conflict with someone. God got my attention when you asked not only if I believed God could redeem her life, but did I even WANT God to redeem her life. Ouch! I’m realizing that God is not done working on her. The very fact that her heart is still beating is evidence that God still has plans for her life. I don’t have to choose to be her friend, but it’s not my place to determine how much grace or punishment she should receive, especially when I ask for grace for myself. So, maybe instead of being so angry at her, I need to start lifting her up in prayer. Not maybe. Definitely. Not easy, though, as I play tug-o-war with my flesh…
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I need to go pray now.
In reflection, I feel in many ways that I was an OJ. Bankrupt, beyond hope, failed, a disappointing reject. God never gave up on me, and he used others who took the same approach. I hope to be to someone else what God and others have been to me. Great post.
Michael Vick…but I pray for him…
I with Robin. Michael Vick.
Weird though…I just wrote about the folks in ministry that frustrate the heck out of me in My Letter To Pastors ….
Now, I am feeling a bit guilty about that post…hmmm
A child molester I know and a ministry leader I served under years and years ago. Both abused their authority that’s taken me years to work through. If my molester meets me in heaven, I hope he’ll apologize. Maybe I won’t care by then. I sincerely hope for that leader to get turned back in the right direction yet I’m just fine not having anything to do with him anymore.
@Robin, That’s a tough one.
I think the reason I sent “OJ is going to jail.. ha ha ha!” emails to friends is his smugness. Of course, I know OJ is God’s beloved child… I guess I just want him off the golf course for a while. ha!
OJ also represents a awful time in NYC for me. His case drove a wedge between my black and white friends, it seemed to unravel all the good that had been building since the 60′s. I had friends thinking white people were walking around saying the n word behind their backs.. and I I was walking around thinking.. ” how naive could you be to not convict on DNA evidence plus a prior violence conviction towards Nicole” I guess I hold him responsible in some way.
I’ll try to figure out a good prayer for OK that can include “and thanks for locking him up for a while”
it’s a start.
My Niece!
My Niece!
And my Niece!
Hate is a tough word. I guess I hate the injustice of the world. Really don’t hate the bad guys, but know there is a “payday, someday” for everyone.
Glad God made grace. It’s probably good He decides who He blesses. I keep thinking, all things work together for the good of those that LOVE THE LORD. It gives even OJ a chance.
There is a lot about God and how He works that I don’t understand. How can someone can be a habitual murderer, a rapist and worse, and still be forgiven? They’re equal to me? I have a really hard time with that.
They’re Christian, but they’re lousy Christians and lousy people. “There but for the Grace of God, go I” I tell myself that. I try to believe that.
But I don’t understand. There’s a lot that I don’t understand. So I believe God, I trust God. I don’t like it. And I defend God. Even not understanding. And I don’t understand my own behavior. My husband (claims atheist) doesn’t understand me. But I defend God. This causes great conflict in my day to day life.
Wow… and ouch!
I think part of the reason that maybe we have a hard time forgiving people like OJ, loving people like OJ, and wanting to serve people like OJ is that we secretly and subconsciously want to believe that somehow we deserve Christ’s love and forgiveness, and therefore people should possess some redeeming quality that makes them deserving of our efforts.
For example, I have observed this attitude in many Believers (at times, myself included) when it comes to people in this country who live on welfare. We politicize arguments about whose job it is–if anyone’s–to care for these people. There is a pervasive opinion that most of these people are lazy and do not want to work. Therefore they don’t deserve a hand-out; they deserve to reap what they sow.
For Believers, however, I am becoming more and more convinced that the real question is not what these people deserve; the real question is what is their worth? I believe that these people–people like OJ and Ted Haggard and people on welfare–have unsurpassable worth in God’s eyes. And to prove this, He sent His son to die for them. THAT’S how much He values them.
Romans 5:8 says,”God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The most important part of this verse is that it points out Christ died for us WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS. That means it wasn’t because of any redeeming qualities that we possessed.
So whenever my pride tempts me to marginalize someone, or to withhold love or good things people because I perceive a lack of effort or worth on their part, I try to remind myself that they mean enough to Jesus that He was willing to die for them. And if Jesus didn’t measure my deservedness before dying for me, I shouldn’t measure other’s deservedness before serving them.
Man Pete you nailed it. It’s ALL about redemption & restoration. As David Crowder says: “You make everything glorious”… And we (the church) are probably guiltier than most at forgetting the redemptive power that exists because of the cross…
Wow.
Ironically, I recently wrote a blog, Angels Unaware, about the flip side of this cycle – when celebutantes flash their botox smiles and thousand-dollar handbags as symbols of their power and thereby reduce the lauding masses to a pygmy. What is our response to this cultural maxim? How do we prepare our children to counter the assault of self?
It flows in the same OJ vein in that it demands that we define our worth before God alone, and then shape our world-view based on Him as our sole presupposition. We are then free to fail. And to offer some immunity to others as well…
Wow good post bro! I think I tend to be too merciful sometimes with people like Oj, bordering naivety.
I think the reason is because he is like me.
I was that guy who was a horrible dude, seemingly hopeless, and without a perceivable future, but The Father chose to use me, for what ever reason.
I recently served on jury duty where I had to send a 21 year old kid away for 30 years, it was the hardest thing I have done in a while!
He was guilty.
I just kept thinking man, he can still change, I want to at least give him the chance to live a decent life. Lets hope when he gets out at 51 years old he has changed.
shalom