Forgiveness is perhaps the most preached about virtue and part of the Gospels. Jesus Christ forgave us (Colossians 3:13), "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8), and "Father Forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Many are on forgiveness burn out, tired of hearing about "I should forgive," and "it is unhealthy to remain hurt and bitter." Well there is news for you about forgiveness. To forgive is crucial to being a Christ followers, and moreover it breaks the cycle of contempt that continues to pass down with each generation, and nation against nation. Jesus said, "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:15). What does He mean by this? He is asking you not to be hypocrite who when you fail and make blunders, hurt others, and even hurt Him say, "Father forgive me," and yet you will not forgive others.
I have watched the power of forgiveness in the pages of history. Because people will not forgive the Germans for the Third Reich and Nazism, they have hastily gotten involved in Refugee Crisis to prove they have changed to people who will never forgive them and as result they are not flooded with people, even terrorists, and cannot support the demands of the millions they have brought in (10 Million) as an act of penance no doubt about the 7 Million Jews they killed in Holocaust. Now Germany pays the price economically, and some may shout, "good! They now can feel the squeeze and suffering," but it was economic collapse and chaos that birthed the Third Riech, Nazism, and The Communist Machine in Germany; after World War I Germany suffered under severe sanctions and reprimands for their involvement in war, and the result was a Second World War! Unforgiveness over World War I created World War II! Adolf Hitler wanted to be painter, and was Catholic, his mother was Jew. The Berlin Art Association rejected Hitler's application, and because of his unforgiveness he became a bitter man who joined the Communist party, and lead Nazism to its apex. Unforgiveness created Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler.
In ancient Rome, if a Cesar was offended, he could have the person assassinated, beheaded, crucified, buried alive, made into a corpse while living as bugs devoured the person slowly (dead body), drowned in sewers (refuse and urine), fed to dogs, fed to lions and tigers, and more (The Holy Bible, Fox's Book of Martyrs, Eusebius' The History of the Church, Bruce Shelly's Christian History in Plain Language, and Timothy Paul Jones PhD's Christian History Made Easy, The History Channel) . It simply took a slight offense, a perceived dirty look from the person or perhaps the person accidently did something hurtful, they were not forgiven or pardoned, they were flogged and put to death. Forgiveness had not place in Roman society, even Emperors were not beyond this bitterness, themselves being assassinated as in cause of Caligula in the secret street way by many citizens with daggers, and Julius Cesar by Brutus and his gang. Certainly lust for power, and pillage were motives, but often these Cesars fell because the people could not forgive their deplorable behavior; though Jesus Christ had forgive all sins of mankind, even those Cesars had they believed (2 Corinthians 5:15). The Eastern Rome of Byzantium, which professed to be Christian will little different; they could scarcely forgive as take another person's sight from them over the offense; they did not "turn the other cheek," (Luke 6;29) they choose literally "an eye for an eye," (Exodus 21:24) although in case of offender they had not literally tried to take anyone's eye. Unforgiveness brought Rome to its knees, and the forgiving people, Christians took over. In fact it was a Pope, a devout one (there were some) who stopped Vandals from destroying the people, and asked they only loot, and do what else they did best; at the Pope's persuasion they left Rome looted and in their name sake merely vandalized.
In the Middle Ages, as nations were still yet Kingdoms, wars broke out over a system of revenge, personified in the tales of Beowulf. In those days, "turn the other cheek," (Matthew 5:39) was not in practice, and instead if a lord or king was vexed, harmed, or lost someone dear, knights and spear Danes would rally for the recompense; to pillage, rape, and kill the enemy who had caused the offense. Apparently, despite Christianization of the barbarians, the teaching of Jesus Christ, "love your enemy, and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44) was not taken seriously. As a result, there was Dark Age in Europe of tribes slaying one another over offenses, and most of what had been the Roman Empire fell into chaos (with exception of the Eastern Empire, Byzantium). These Dark Ages featured perpetual regime changes, massacres, pillaging, waves of destruction, and a fear of death that held sway over Europe from 415-800 A.D. (Morris Bishop, The Middle Ages).
It was for harm (emotionally) of their Lord and King, Henry II of England, that his knights slayed Bishop Thomas Beckett and made a martyr of him. What compelled those knights was the unforgiveness of their King Henry II, who could not let go (forgive) of Beckett's betrayal, and it was their need to seek revenge (antiforgiveness, unforgiveness) for the offense of their king. Their true story is but one tale among many from Paris to Palestine and back of the petty wars over offenses that were exchange between people. A quite bizarre scene was during the Third Crusade, when at night the Christian Crusaders and Muslim Mujahedeen gathered together around fires, ate together, laughed together, danced together, and engaged in every loving act between friends, but in the morning they rose to kill each other because King Richard Lionheart had to avenge, retake, and make the unforgiving stake for lands taken by Saladin; and the result of the war was an uneasy truce (political pact) and many deaths that did not even reclaim the prize Jerusalem. (Thomas Asbride, A New History of the Crusades). Had but the Christians forgiven the Muslims for the capture of the Crusader States, and the Muslims forgiven Christians for massacres like at Jerusalem in 1099 A.D. then perhaps there would not have been massacre of Hattin by the Muslims, the return of unforgiveness in massacre of 4,000 men, women, and children (unarmed) by Richard Lionheart who was impatient, and then latter massacres by Mamluke Muslims of Christians during then long campaign to 1291 A.D. when they took Acre in massacre. All of this bred by unforgiveness. One bright and shining star in the mess of massacre and malice (unforgiveness) was a man named St. Francis of Assisi who went to Sultan to preach the Gospel, and offered forgiveness in lifetime of Christians fighting Muslims, Francis decided to practice Jesus' own words, "love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44).
In today's world unforgiveness is rampant. People take to internet and make comments of malice, hatred, and unforgiveness, while on Sunday attending Church and praying the prayer of forgiveness. Here in America people cannot forgive Donald Trump for his remarks, or Hilary Clinton for her emails; granted forgiveness does not remove consequences, and people should be held accountable; but the vitriol and hatred people have for each other is appaling. Remember this, while you are eager to see cuffs on others, remember the chains of sin that are on you and that Christ broke with His blood (Ephensians 1:7, Hebrews 2:14). Several political analysists and commenters have said that Donald Trump has risen to power because people are "angry, mad, and full of fury." While it is understanble that people are indignant for good reason over issues in this country, and I am not saying they have no right to those feelings or to vote what they believe; I worry if this anger does not eventually becoming satiated, it will boil into bitternes, revenge, and unforgiveness. People sound as desperate over economy in America as Germans did in the 1940's, and I fear if we do not first forgive and heal via the Holy Spirit, and then make a rational and God fearing choice; we shall plung into a Fourth Riech, another Crusade, and endless cycle of crushing another person or people group because we cannot forgive them.
Jesus said as His enemies surrounded the foot of His cross, mocked Him, and mistreated Him, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). He even said this as they divided up his clothes, His last possessions (last part of verse). Jesus told us to forgive, because it is the letting go of offense that heals us, and that keeps us from repating the vicious cycle of vitriol and vegence. We are suppoe to let God avenge and handle what wrong has been done unto us, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well," (Luke 6:28-29), "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19), "Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you," (Proverbs 20:22), "Therefore thus says the LORD, "Behold, I am going to plead your case And exact full vengeance for you; And I will dry up her sea And make her fountain dry," (Jeremiah 51:36), and "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14), and "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you," (Colossians 3:13).
And yet we try to take revenge into our own hands. We expect Christ to pardon us with forgiveneess while we pummel others with unforgiveness. Well Jesus Christ had some words to say about this double standard and hypocritical stance, Here is what Jesus said about unforgivness:
And yet we try to take revenge into our own hands. We expect Christ to pardon us with forgiveneess while we pummel others with unforgiveness. Well Jesus Christ had some words to say about this double standard and hypocritical stance, Here is what Jesus said about unforgivness:
"21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters[e] from your heart.” (Matthew 18:21-35).
To forgive is to give a gift. The gift of not taking revenge, of letting it go like "water under bridge," to let go of bitterness, and to love that person again, even if they are you enemy, "love your enemy.." (). We in Church can be such hypocrites, seeking forgiveness from The Trinity, while holding on to offenses for most of our lives and only waiting tell our death beds to make amends and forgive. What sheer folly! Has not the Bible verses, and History I have put forth swayed you? If we do not forgive we do not deserve forgiveness! Jesus Christ died for your sins (Luke 7:48), and yet you want to caste stones?! Those who want to stone others deserve those very stones! Your hatred shall be your judge! For Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged/For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5). There is a time to judge, but only after we have forgiven. There is a time for evil to be brought to justice, for consequences, but they can be blanked with forgiveness. It is possible to forgive and sentence the person to the full penalty of their wickedness, as is the case with the Justice System. But then then pardon and mercy is found. Ulimately, we should leave judgement to Jesus Christ, and only act as arbiters of judgement if It is His Will. The Apostle Paul says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32). The Apostle also says, "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" (1 Corinthians 6:2-8).
Forgiveness is impartive to our existence as Christians. If we cannot forgive, then we betray Christ who forgave us. Jesus said, "I say forgive seven times seventy!" (Matthew 18:22). Which is in Jewish numerology, endless. This does not mean justice is never served, I have written about hoe Jesus will judge when He returns. But we are called to forgive and judge; that means in judgement even forgiving, lest we judge unfairly and repay people for evil when the same log of evil is in our own eye (hypocrisy). The cycle of unforgiveness is clear in history, and I would hate for us to repeat some of barbarity and cruelty that came from not forgiving people. Is it worth being bitter and inacting revenge and thus create empires of genocide, hatred, harshness, and a societies of no love? Read carefully the words of Christ and the Apostles contained in this post, and you will see unforgiveness is not worth it. Forgive.
Addendum
Another example of Jesus forgiving when everyone wanted to condemn is this:
"Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more." (John 8:1-11).
Comments
Post a Comment