Dec
9
Written by:
Bob Flynn
12/9/2009 1:30 PM
"We need to sort out our hurts and learn the difference between those that call for the miracle of forgiveness and those that can be borne with a sense of humor. If we lump all our hurts together and prescribe forgiveness for all of them, we turn the art of forgiving into something cheap and commonplace. Like a good wine, forgiving must be preserved for the right occasion." Lewis B. Smedes, Forgive and Forget.
The call of Christ upon the heart is greater far than mere forgiveness. We must not even hold malice in our heat! There are two examples from Scripture. The first is Christ who said from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Forgiveness could not be yet extended because there had been no repentance. But nevertheless Christ in the midst of His suffering for our sin did pray for the lost. The second example is that of Stephen when he was being stoned to death who likewise prayed that this act of murder would not be held against the perpetrators. I think we continue to have an incorrect idea of forgiveness in general and the calling of Christ upon our hearts in particular. We are called to pray for our enemies. What better outcome could there be than to see an enemy transformed into a brother. Is this kind of prayer really possible? Only in the fullness of the Spirit! Philippians 2 says that we ought let this mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus. The Lord of Glory in our innermost making the impossible a reality! Are we ready to let His love vanquish the hate within us and in those whom would do us harm?
Copyright ©2009 Robert Flynn