Forgiveness Misunderstood

Life Sometimes Brings Hurt Our Way

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:00 GMT

"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.

Grace Killers - A Self-inflicted Wound

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:57:00 GMT

Complaining: goggusmos {gong-goos-mos’} The early instances yield the sense “to be dissatisfied,” “to grumble because of disappointed hopes.” A murmur, murmuring, muttering; a secret debate; a secret displeasure not openly avowed.

Forgiveness Real

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it.... (C. S. Lewis, Virtue and Vice)

The chief cause of the current state of affairs that surround us may be viewed in the mirror....

Forgiving Versus Excusing

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality (unless I watch myself very carefully) asking Him to do something very different. (C. S. Lewis, Virtue and Vice)

We often needlessly wander through the darkened fortress of discouragement and despair. The high hardened ramparts of our own building. Brick by brick did they rise from the hardness of our own heart. Cemented indestructible by the piteous mortar of our ever bleeding heart. We are powerless to extricate ourselves from this fallen estate because of our self-deception.

Must We Forgive in Every Circumstance?

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Does the Bible teach that we are to forgive under all circumstances? I answer categorically, vigorously, ardently, insistently that it DOES NOT!

Counterfeit 3: Trust Without Truth

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

"But Jesus didn't trust them, because He knew human nature. No one needed to tell Him what mankind is really like." John 2:24-25 NLT

Counterfeit 2: Minimizing the Hurt

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

“Goodness, I've struck my thumb!”

Counterfeit 1: Excusing

bob@cmfhq.org (Bob Flynn) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:00:00 GMT

A drunken driver speeds through a school zone and strikes several children in the crosswalk.