I read a statement to a jury the other day by Clarence Darrow. Other than his powerful use of words I find little to commend Darrow. But his use of words…
"Morally, anybody is capable of murder. I never killed anybody myself, but I have on occasion read obituary articles with a certain degree of satisfaction."
One of the reasons I wrote, Outrageous Forgiveness In 30 Days was/is to help others get over what I call the Obit Syndrome. I have never actually killed anyone. Have I thought about it? Wished that … would die? Read the obit section with relish? Learning to actually forgive from the heart has helped me as much or more than anyone who will ever read and activate the principles in 30 Days.
When I think I have reached the pinnacle of forgiving, I come across a name in an obit and start to feel a thrill at the name. In order to keep my smug feeling of being an extreme forgiver, I must actually do it or quit reading obits. I admit to foregoing the reading of obits. At least I admit I need work and I am re-reading my book.
One of my favorite and most painful verses is Ephesians 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Refusal to forgive is to take Christ out of the equation.
