Isn’t the act of forgiveness designed to help those who are doing the forgiving? So they don’t hold onto the hate, the stress, the anguish of losing a loved one?
Surely it’s not designed to absolve the perpetrator of their wrongdoing?
I think it was CS Lewis who commented on Jesus telling his disciples that if your brother sins against you, you must forgive him and if he keeps sinning, you forgive him seventy times seven. I think you could apply that to the same sin seventy plus times because there are cruel destructive sins by others who rob a person of their future and even their life. If someone lives with this awful grief and damage, he is reminded of it in his body every second of his life. Lewis was saying that this person would have to go through daily forgiveness of the perpetrator. I see nothing at all wrong with this. It doesn’t mean the sufferer/victim is resentful etc but it does mean an honest relationship with God who understands our weaknesses, our losses and our griefs.
I had never looked at these words of Jesus like this before until my son, a pastor and doctor, recently explained their deeper meaning. So don’t feel bad if every day the same sin of another person disturbs you. Just confess to God how you feel so His grace can heal you and the angst and unjustness loses its power over you and one day you may not even need to do this. I speak from personal experience.
I’m also heartened that forgiveness has nothing to do with feelings of fuzzy warmness. Forgiveness is an act of the will. God may give us the bonus of feeling it but because feelings are so fickle and changeable, He probably won’t.
Thank you James for reminding us of this wonderful part of the Christian doctrine...forgiving those that err against us......it's very humbling to see people that have such great faith that they are able to do this.
Yes, God will forgive, but there is a condition: the sinner has to genuinely repent - not just with his mouth, but from his heart. As to turn the other cheek: there are situations where that applies and other situations where it does not. The context would determine the right action.
The initial response to some tragedy such as a car crash, is retribution! But as often the case those who harbour resentment towards another, end up with ulcerous and resentfulness in their lives. I've said it before, the Armenian Bishop, as far as worldly people are concerned, had every right to have the young terrorist put into the slammer. After all the Bishop might have well died and not forgiven the young man. Instead he showed us all that to forgive our enemies is what we as Christians are meant to do. Hard as it may be, I'm sure we are better for the act of mercy than to continue with more hatred and blood feuds.
That’s all very nice if we had a world where atrocious crimes weren’t committed but in reality forgiveness has a limit.
Is the suggestion that things such as the heinous attack by Hamas and Palestinians on October 7 should have been the subject of forgiveness? Surely not?
The retribution being administered by the Israelis is the correct action. Maybe after all the perpetrators are eliminated forgiveness can be thought about, but I doubt it.
Murder, rape and molesting of children can never be forgiven.
Forgiveness is in the heart of each of us. The consequences of our actions will be a judgement of the law (society).
Just as we as individuals are required to love our neighbour, whoever he is. Refugee, drunk driver etc. Society, governments, have a responsibility to protect us and secure our society, our borders.
Love this article Mac, it really drives home how much so many of us are lacking when it comes to God's grace, and how rare it is to see Christians acting truly Christian in society - Imagine if everybody forgave everybody for everything - the judicial system would collapse! Though I dare say some things are truly heinous and are unforgivable even to God.
Forgiveness and simple kindness are lacking desperately in our current world as evil wreaks havoc and sense becomes nonsense.
I just hope that I can be half the light father God requires of me, I know I fall short often.
And there is the Abdoulla family of Oatlands, too who forgave the driver who killed their children a few years ago. And that man became a Christian too. Hallelujah!!
I’m looking for a bit of help on this one…
Isn’t the act of forgiveness designed to help those who are doing the forgiving? So they don’t hold onto the hate, the stress, the anguish of losing a loved one?
Surely it’s not designed to absolve the perpetrator of their wrongdoing?
James…this is beautiful.
I think it was CS Lewis who commented on Jesus telling his disciples that if your brother sins against you, you must forgive him and if he keeps sinning, you forgive him seventy times seven. I think you could apply that to the same sin seventy plus times because there are cruel destructive sins by others who rob a person of their future and even their life. If someone lives with this awful grief and damage, he is reminded of it in his body every second of his life. Lewis was saying that this person would have to go through daily forgiveness of the perpetrator. I see nothing at all wrong with this. It doesn’t mean the sufferer/victim is resentful etc but it does mean an honest relationship with God who understands our weaknesses, our losses and our griefs.
I had never looked at these words of Jesus like this before until my son, a pastor and doctor, recently explained their deeper meaning. So don’t feel bad if every day the same sin of another person disturbs you. Just confess to God how you feel so His grace can heal you and the angst and unjustness loses its power over you and one day you may not even need to do this. I speak from personal experience.
I’m also heartened that forgiveness has nothing to do with feelings of fuzzy warmness. Forgiveness is an act of the will. God may give us the bonus of feeling it but because feelings are so fickle and changeable, He probably won’t.
Thank you James for reminding us of this wonderful part of the Christian doctrine...forgiving those that err against us......it's very humbling to see people that have such great faith that they are able to do this.
Yes, God will forgive, but there is a condition: the sinner has to genuinely repent - not just with his mouth, but from his heart. As to turn the other cheek: there are situations where that applies and other situations where it does not. The context would determine the right action.
The initial response to some tragedy such as a car crash, is retribution! But as often the case those who harbour resentment towards another, end up with ulcerous and resentfulness in their lives. I've said it before, the Armenian Bishop, as far as worldly people are concerned, had every right to have the young terrorist put into the slammer. After all the Bishop might have well died and not forgiven the young man. Instead he showed us all that to forgive our enemies is what we as Christians are meant to do. Hard as it may be, I'm sure we are better for the act of mercy than to continue with more hatred and blood feuds.
That’s all very nice if we had a world where atrocious crimes weren’t committed but in reality forgiveness has a limit.
Is the suggestion that things such as the heinous attack by Hamas and Palestinians on October 7 should have been the subject of forgiveness? Surely not?
The retribution being administered by the Israelis is the correct action. Maybe after all the perpetrators are eliminated forgiveness can be thought about, but I doubt it.
Murder, rape and molesting of children can never be forgiven.
And what about the unrepentant Anita Cobby killers. Or the Snowtown murderers? And all the other, many killers who gloat and boast about their crimes?
Forgiveness is in the heart of each of us. The consequences of our actions will be a judgement of the law (society).
Just as we as individuals are required to love our neighbour, whoever he is. Refugee, drunk driver etc. Society, governments, have a responsibility to protect us and secure our society, our borders.
Bless you, James. A timely reminder for us all
Love this article Mac, it really drives home how much so many of us are lacking when it comes to God's grace, and how rare it is to see Christians acting truly Christian in society - Imagine if everybody forgave everybody for everything - the judicial system would collapse! Though I dare say some things are truly heinous and are unforgivable even to God.
Forgiveness and simple kindness are lacking desperately in our current world as evil wreaks havoc and sense becomes nonsense.
I just hope that I can be half the light father God requires of me, I know I fall short often.
And there is the Abdoulla family of Oatlands, too who forgave the driver who killed their children a few years ago. And that man became a Christian too. Hallelujah!!
It's hard in the face of the others' stupidity to be gracious and forgive but it is what we are commanded to do.
"As Alexander Pope’s famous poem taught, to err is human, but to forgive is divine". Yes, grace is amazing, help me Lord!