WORD OF THE WEEK - FORFEIT - 8/17/25

Definition: lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing or neglect: to lose or give up something
Scriptures:
Leviticus 5:15-16 - “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.  It is a guilt offering.
Jeremiah 25:5 - “Turn now everyone from his evil way and the evil of your actions [that you may not forfeit the right to] live in the land that the Lord has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever
Mark 8:36 - “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

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Transcript

Definition: lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing or neglect: to lose or give up something
Scriptures:
Leviticus 5:15-16 - “When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.  It is a guilt offering.
Jeremiah 25:5 - “Turn now everyone from his evil way and the evil of your actions [that you may not forfeit the right to] live in the land that the Lord has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever
Mark 8:36 - “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
THOUGHT
I listened intently as the orator presented evidence that illustrated coordinated efforts to eliminate, change and rewrite the history of our country to reflect a narrative that is more palatable to certain audiences.
For instance, the brutal reality of slavery in the United States has at times been reframed in literature as the unfortunate journey of “involuntary immigrants.” Some even claim that those enslaved eventually benefited from the skills they acquired through forced labor, as if exploitation could be recast as opportunity.
As I listened, I began to consider the multitude of ethnicities and cultures that once thrived but are now rarely mentioned. Have you ever heard of the Dacians, the Numidians, or the Iceni? These were nations that resisted Roman domination. After their conquest, their histories were absorbed into Roman narratives, leaving behind only footnotes.
In most cases, it is the conqueror who decides how history is recorded and remembered. So how can a culture or race of people remain relevant if they are part of a larger society that may choose to ignore their existence? 
That is the question that the believers in Christ faced.  The early church began with people of Jewish heritage, who believed that the Savior, as prophesied by Isaiah, had come.  Jesus’ apostles diligently followed his charge found in Matt. 28:19-20.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”
The message of Christ not only impacted the Jewish nation, but has transcended time, borders and cultures.  It was the disciples who preserved history and the truth of God and his son Jesus.  They did not allow the message to be erased. They did not forfeit their history.
And neither should you!
Whether you are a woman, poor, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, African American, those whose identities fall outside traditional norms, or any other marginalized ethnicity, as witnesses to injustice, slavery, or subjugation to a more dominant culture, you carry a responsibility: You must remember, You must record.  You must report your history. 
So how do we do that?Teach your children. Let them become disciples of your family’s story. Equip them with verbal, written, and photographic knowledge of your legacy—your God-given talents, your inherited skills, your cultural identity.Create a memorial. Build a collection of photographs, documents, and digital records) as supporting evidence of historical and world events relevant to your community.  Support historical landmarks. Advocate for spaces that protect and honor the documents, stories, and activities that shaped your people.Represent your culture with integrity. Be a living testament to your beliefs, your heritage, and your God.
By the most positive means necessary, do what you can to keep your past from being erased.Because, when you allow your past to be erased…You forfeit your place in the future.