Forgiveness
Sunday, August 17, 2003
FORGIVENESS
"To err is human, to forgive divine.” Alexander Pope 1688-1744. Essay on Criticism. Part 2 Line 325
How are you at forgiveness? Do you hold any grudges against certain people? I believe everybody does. They say it's not healthy to have a grudge. That it's more damaging to the one who can't forgive, who stays angry instead of letting go and living in peace. But do you ever think that there is an exception to forgiving someone? Like you are justified in staying angry? Either because that person is not sorry or because he/she has done something so awe full it is beyond forgiveness. I must admit that I have personal problems in my ability to forgive others. However some things have given me incentive to at least try to forgive the unforgivable and I wanted to share that and invite others to express their own feelings and beliefs.
People can't say, "I'm sorry I made a mistake." It is almost as if apologizing or admitting a mistake would be a threat to their perfect image. It's like those people who can't share the sidewalk with you cause they feel weakened or that they are compromising their elevated identity or something like that. Without using bad language: it's a screw, or be screwed world. There's no middle ground. People feel so easily threatened by the slightest things cause they recognize how far the fall down is. It's scary really.
It's hard to forgive someone who won't say sorry or stop continuing in the act because they would either feel threatened to stop or change their behavior, or because they can't stop because they really have a problem that is controlling them.
How can you forgive relentless unrepentant willful malicious behavior against yourself or someone you love? Should you feel compelled to?
"Move on" "don't let it get to you" "leave vengeance in God's hand" "God wants you to forgive"
Easier said than done, especially when you're not the victim or recipient.
I'm going to quote some of my favorite and/or relevant bible passages on forgiveness:
Psalm 103:12- "As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions."
The whole psalm 103 is good.
Psalm 130: 3,4- "If errors were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand? For there is the true forgiveness with you, In order that you may be feared."
Matt 12:31- "On this account I say to you, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven." -Whatever that means. No one can be certain what really qualifies as unforgivable except God. Church's always invite sinners forward with the promise of forgiving sins no matter how bad they are.
The next 2 give me the greatest incentive to forgive my transgressor.
Matt 6:14,15 (after saying the Lord's Prayer) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Knowing that God sent His only Son to die, as a ransom for mankind in order for us as imperfect humans to have our sins forgiven is incentive to forgive really annoying people out of appreciation for Jesus sacrifice.
1 Peter 4:8 -"Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."
Maybe you have had a falling out with a family member and are avoiding him/her/them. But when you see that person in need, perhaps without food and shelter-your heart really goes out and you reach out your hand setting aside differences. The power of love over pride.
" Love covers a multitude of sins." Sins can be embarrassing. But we all have hurt each other and are guilty of sins. We can keep each other on pedestals by forgiveness-covering over-hiding blunders. Forgiveness really is the only way for us to keep our self-esteem if we are being truly honest about our weaknesses.
Forgiveness is a beautiful and endearing quality. We are drawn to God. Drawn to each other. Aren’t we all imperfect and in need of forgiveness? Sharing this state and need unites us to each other. Aren’t you glad to be human?
