Forgiveness…not for the weak
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
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Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times…” (Matthew 18:21-22) In other words, Peter, don’t bother counting – just keep forgiving.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) In other words, forgive like Jesus forgives you – over and over and over…
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Forgiveness isn’t the “American” way – we like revenge and retaliation. Unfortunately, forgiveness doesn’t seem to be the “church” way either.
How many families, communities, and church folks are at odds today because pride, arrogance, ego, and disobedience to the command of Christ won’t allow them to forgive?
I wonder what our families, communities, churches, and world would look like if we chose to accept the truth of Ghandi’s words (the strong forgive) and chose to follow the imperative of Jesus (forgive as much as you have to forgive).
What if you forgave your parents? Spouse? Ex-spouse? Children? Neighbor? Co-worker? The Democrats? The Republicans? Your self? Your fellow church-member? Me?
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(On another side of this: I wonder what Jesus thinks when people ask us to forgive them … and we refuse? I think he said something to the effect that if we don’t forgive others – he won’t forgive us. Wow. But we’ll save that for another blog.)
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Today.
Make that phone call. Send that email. Write that letter. Make that appointment.
Are you strong enough to forgive? Or are you a weakling? You have a decision to make.
Forgive.
Today.
jackpickel 