1/28/13
It hurts. It
involves reliving the pain of a wound inflicted. It means even
though I've decided to forgive and embraced the pain of forgiving –
today – this hour – this minute - I am committed to doing so
another 70 x 7s. Every time the ugy act is remembered – every time
I am confronted with the pain of an undeserved blow that – like
falling dominoes – multiplies as others are drawn into the fray;
every time I am forced to rebuild a wall that someone has
thoughtlessly torn down; whenever I am overcome with the anguish of
betrayel – and like a lamb I was fattened for the kill; when lies
were told against me resulting in the ruin of my reputation; when
someone – out of meaness strikes a killing blow; even when no one
cares – I must forgive.
NOT forget –
but forgive. Only God can perfectly forget. To forgive does not
mean that we forget the offense ever happened, and we go back to
acting as if it never occurred. It means to bear the pain of the
offense – give full recognition to the offense and still love,
still refuse to retaliate, every time it comes to mind, even if
that's 70 x 7 a day.
We are not to
distinguish between what sins done against us are “manageable”,
and which are overwhelmingly unbearable. Which are deserved – and
which are not.
We are to
forgive – love in spite of the pain. And if any one of us isn't
sure what that means or what that looks like, then go to 1
Corinthians 13. Hold your thoughts, feelings and actions up against
this chapter to see where you fall short. Forgiveness is not about
sin, but it's about ME and how I react to sin.
Jesus was a man
of sorrows – His life was filled with the pain of the betrayel of
those He loved. And His response in the midst of that kind of pain –
was – and still is – to forgive – to love.
Why did Jesus
say that we are to forgive 70 x 7 times? Because He understood that
the offense will come to mind 70 x 7 times (or more) and each time we
must forgive. Forgiveness is not a one time event. It is 70 x 7.
There are 7
days in a week, and we are to forgive every day of the week – no
exceptions. And just as the number 7 represents perfection or
completeness, so forgiveness is God's love perfected in me and in
you.
