Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday May 5, 2009

A Connecticut Yankee on Forgiveness

My calling as a preacher of the gospel entails some interesting meetings, conversations and some attempts at explaining the finer points of aspects that many take for granted, all the while engaging in only partial application of the doctrine/principle at hand.

Forgiving, forgiven and forgiveness rest somewhere near the top of the list. As I talked with a man I have known for years he brought up the subject of some trouble he had in the past and he was deeply hurt by fellow Christians. In passing he remarked, "Larry, it is much easier to forgive enemies than it is to forgive friends or family." My friend spoke the truth, yet the Bible addresses this tough action and thereby wipes away all excuse for continuing to harbor thoughts of vengeance against our friend of family who have hurt willfully brought hurt into our relationship. I asked my friend, "Have you truly forgiven?" With a scowl on his face, a steely glint in his eye and a suddenly clinched fist he replied, "Of course." He then noticed how tightly his fist was clinched, and said, "Well, pretty much."

The truth of the matter is that while he has not taken physical vengeance, he has not forgiven in the biblical sense as he is still bitter just under the surface. A grand theologian of an earlier time commented on true forgiveness with this:

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."

Jesus Christ practiced this kind of forgiveness. The rest of us preach it. The above mentioned Connecticut Yankee in the Theologian's Court, Mark Twain, knew what real forgiveness looks like, which may account for his well publicized low opinion of those of us who proclaim we are followers of Christ, "The Great Forgiver."

Paul, commenting of the great forgiveness we owe to our friends/loved ones who sin against us put it thusly:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Romans 5:8-10

The underlining of "Much More" is mine to emphasize the fact that as does God, so must we in the matter of forgiving fully those who have hurt us the most.

Larry Lilly Copyright (C) 2009 Use with credit

My new book, Lasting Friendships in 30 Days is ready at:
http://larrylilly.com/30Days.aspx

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