Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday October 17, 2006

Along the lines of friends and the importance of feeding and maintaining this rare species, I came across a statement by William Blake. As I thought about Blake's statement it occurred to me that we Christians usually have the idea of forgiveness out of whack.

We have spread the gospel of Christ to the far flung regions of the globe and this is good. I have watched in wide eyed wonder as people who are unfamiliar with the basic points of the scripture begin to grasp with incredulity the fact that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” To die for your enemies is mind boggling.

And then the one who died for us gives us clear instruction that we are pray for those who despitefully use and abuse us, to feed the enemy that brought hunger to our family. To forgive those who trespass against us, even to the point of lying, holding back truth or worse is a command. We are to forgive, and to do it rather quickly.

In living the life Christian and counseling many who are giving it a shot, I, as do most Christ counselors, point people to 1John 1:9,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Have you ever put this verse into proper perspective?

William Blake said,

"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend."

As mind boggling as is the gospel truth that Christ died for His enemies, I find it even more mind boggling that He made the ultimate provision for His friends. 1John 1:9 is directed to the Friends of Jesus, for He called us such. Over the span of my life I have been hurt physically by enemies. I have been financially crippled by enemies. I have been denied promotion due to the influence of enemies. So? This is to be expected. I have never shed a tear over such actions by outright enemies. Enemies do what you expect enemies to do.

I have suffered physically because of friends. I have been financially crippled by friends. I have been denied promotion due to the influence of friends. So? This is not the action of true friends, but until I actually accepted what the Lord says about the principles of true friendship, I was terribly hurt inwardly by these "Kisses of Judas."

The pain caused by friends induces passionate reaction to any sort of betrayal, any kind of abuse of the trust. This is why so many divorced people are so bitter, due to the betrayal by what should be life's closest friend. Mr. Blake was onto the painful truth in his incisive statement. And Jesus, your best friend forgives you and wipes the slate clean.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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