Forgive to be Forgiven
Let’s discuss this New Testament biblical directive of unconditional forgiveness. I have found this to be one of the hardest for me. Unconditional forgiveness is difficult because we feel this need for justice. If we are hurt we want to retaliate, if we are wronged we demand a punishment be administered. In addition we feel justified in our demands because others should not be allowed to “get away” with that. How do we forgive.
Old Testament Justice
Forgive to be Forgiven
There has also been a lot of discussion concerning this topic based on the old testament philosophy on this particular subject. It has been said by some that the old testament justifies retaliation with Exodus 21:23-25.
Exodus 21:23-25 (KJV)
23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
The Law of Moses
Exodus 21:23-25 was part of the Law which was given to Moses. I do not think it was ever intended to be for an individual to decide for the purpose of vengeance. It operated within the specific legal system of the time.
The Law was laid out by God intended to prevent misconduct with specified rules of behavior. So by comparison this penal code was a decision by the people not by the individual. If the quote is not taken out of context it is much more clear. I challenge those who stand on this position to review Exodus 21:20-30 and see if the meaning remains the same or if as I understand, it clearly changes to a guidance in law.
However, any question regarding this code of conduct was clarified by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.
New Testament Justice
Forgive to be Forgiven
Jesus Teaches Forgiveness
So Jesus tells me that I must forgive. It does not matter what has happened to me, what I had to endure nor does it matter if it was justified or not justified. A calling not only forgive but to love those who have hurt me. This I find I can work through for myself. It takes time and prayer but it can be done…
Matthew 5:38-48 (KJV)
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The Burglary
Forgive to be Forgiven
My Lizard
I remember a particular challenge for me to forgive. I had raised a Water Dragon from a baby in a tank. My nephews had fallen in love with it at the pet store because it looked like a dinosaur.
By the time the animal was fully grown it was very tame. I never kept it in a cage, it lived in an artificial tree in a room in my house. I had set up a small patio pond stocked with gold fish and minnows in the room. Since the Water Dragon is a semi-aquatic it would swim and fish in the pond.
I really enjoyed him and studying the behavior. I can honestly say I loved that 4 1/2 foot lizard as much as you might love your dog or cat.
They Blinded Him
Then one day two children broke into my house. The lizard was an obvious attraction. I can only guess that they must have been throwing things at him trying to get him to move around. Hit with something, knocked off his curtain rod perch at some point. Falling out of control. Getting tangled in the tie back for the curtains. He apparently hung there by his neck until I found him.
Blinded in one eye from a puncture wound. But, he did survive. For a usual pet that might have been a minimal thing. For a wild animal that eats live prey this was a game changer. He could no longer catch his fish in the pond. No longer could he fight with small mice and catch them. He was now shying away from the hunt. The food he needed to survive. He could not even catch crickets with any persistence. Feeding infant mice to keep him alive. A very sad circumstance for such a beautiful creature, once so majestic.
The Burglars were Children
The children who broke into my house were only 13 and 17 years old. Avoiding school that day. Kicking in my back door because they were cold. How could I feel such aggression for children. I felt violated. I knew what I was feeling was wrong but I was feeling such rage. My head was telling me one thing but my heart that was telling me something else.
I had to pray about it fervently for several weeks before that rage quieted down and finally stopped. It was keeping me up at night and there was a real struggle with what I was feeling. The challenge with my little Water Dragon was now a new reality but I did ultimately find peace with the forgiveness.
The Need to Forgive Them
So I understand the need for the forgiveness. I know that God is directing me to forgive for my own protection. While I am emotional I am vulnerable to temptation from the enemy. The more emotional I become the more vulnerable I am. When a person holds a grudge, or lets the pain fester it is only detrimental to our emotional control and our ultimate well being.
Forgive to be Forgiven
Luke 17:3-4 (KJV)
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Substance Abuse
Forgive to be Forgiven
However, when do I draw a line and say this far but no farther. At what point am I to cut myself off from that which is causing me harm. It has been said that it is ok to forgive someone but not stay in a damaging situation. To separate from the circumstances that cause harm.
Sorry, Never Again
I remember a close friend who had a problem with alcohol. It was like there were two different people. There was my friend but it would turn in an instant once the alcohol was introduced. There would be violence, destroyed property, even physical altercations. The achievement of sobriety brings remorse again. Requests for forgiveness. The promise it would never happen again. But it would happen again and again.
The Repetition
No matter how many times I tried to make it understood there was a real problem. No matter how many times I tried to stop that first drink the next time. It would prove to be useless. We reached a point that we were just going through the motions.
Professional help was rejected. Everyone around had suffered in one way or another. One by one all the people around us were moving away. Until we were left alone. At what point do you abandon the efforts? It is clear that they need the help they are rejecting. But are we really qualified to help them?
No Desire for Prevention
Forgiveness in this circumstance is particularly hard because it is not something new. You know it is going to happen again and again. Knowing it will happen but choosing not to prevent it. However, it is an illness. Spiraling out of their control. But at what point do you draw the line and say no more.
Not Me Then Who?
Can we really turn off the emotions to prevent the damage, the vulnerability. And if we do not keep trying to help the abandoned, if not us then who? Jesus is calling us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. That my friends, is a tall order! A very narrow path to walk…
Forgive to be Forgiven
The Worlds Darkness
Forgive to be Forgiven
Leviticus 19:17-18 (KJV)
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
Mans Sickness
And now we reach the real horrors of the world. The sick darkness and cruelty that is so prevalent on the news and in the world. How do we forgive the damage, the lack of compassion, the cruelty? What is the right way to perceive some of the horrors I see around me. Innocent who are harmed and tormented.
A Need for Retribution
I know that these atrocities are between the perpetrator and the Lord when the day of Judgment comes. However, in my own weakness , my arrogance I somehow feel that I should be able to witness the retaliation in real time. Feel the justification. Deal with this evil in some tangible way. Ending these monstrosities. And they must not continue because I did not or should not act.
It feels like there is a responsibility to end the suffering. Forgiveness seems beyond attainable in the most extreme circumstances. A calling to accomplish it. We must somehow find the way to love our enemies…
Romans 12:21 (KJV)
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Stand Against Evil?
Where do we draw the line between forgiveness, turning the other cheek and standing against the evil in the world? It is possible that I am looking at this the wrong way. That it is the evil itself in the world that we are battling against. All of the people are the victims of this dark manipulation. I am spending time feeling rage against the evil doer rather than against the evil one. But how do we separate the man from his deeds, and should we without repentance?
I would welcome Biblical debate on this issue.
Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is Required
So is there no salvation from God without forgiveness? It has been suggested that it is the struggle to forgive that brings us forgiveness. As long as we are human we are imperfect. If we are content to hold the rage and anger, to hold on to the bitterness because we believe it is justified. That is the sin we must struggle to overcome.
Strive for Obedience
God had to pay for our sin with the life of his son in order for us to be forgiven. The sin of man was so great it included all the things that we are struggling to forgive against one another. He expects that we will work toward this forgiveness to the best of our ability. As always, strive for the perfection he requires from us. Strive to be obedient in our faith. All that he asks of us is that we honestly do the very best that we can in our imperfection and we too will be forgiven…
Forgive to be Forgiven
Mark 11:25 (KJV)
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
For the Love of God,
Sparks
