Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday March 22, 2011

My new book, "Outrageous Forgiveness In 30 Days" will be soon be entering another stage of preparation for publishing. I sent a few rough drafts of the manuscripts for review and most are complimentary. A few, well.

The only recurring complaint is that I use too many "controversial" people, groups as good examples of offering forgiveness. The only honest response I can give is that within my own groups, forgiveness on the level I write is for the most part, "absent without leave." Thus, I use the illustrations from the life of people in other groups.

Today's tidbit is no different. But the truth of it is undeniable. My girl of the day is author, speaker, holocaust survivor and champion forgiver, Jew hider, Corrie ten Boom.

"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."

Pastor Dale Steenhoven used Corrie's statement as his day starter on FaceBook.

That Christ forgave and insisted by His clear commands that we do the same is undeniable. Further, that He demonstrated forgiveness is beyond question and that His demonstration goes far beyond the pale of human desire to forgive is part of His story.

It is observable that just about anything is forgivable if the deed was perpetrated upon another. However, the same deed done to us is a deed that will never be forgiven in this life or the one to come.

That the refusal to forgive is centered in feelings of intense outrage is visible in the countenance of those who refuse to give it more than in valid biblical reason for not giving true forgiveness.

When coupled with the "outrageous forgiveness" demonstrated by Jesus, Paul's insistence on the same kind is right on the mark in Ephesians 4:32:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

For whatever reason forgiveness is withheld, scripture makes it clear that the real reason is hardness of heart, a refusal to exercise the will to do God's will, and to permit, even encourage the heart to control life via feelings. The battle seems to be God's Word or Feeling; which will you choose? For your own soul health, please choose the way of Jesus, and Corrie.

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."

In all obedience it is necessary to surrender human feeling to the will of God.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit

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