Image taken from the feature film Healing River.
Thought for the Week
There are unforgiveable acts, but there are no unforgiveable people. Tragically, yes, there are a few–very few–whose consciences are seared, who can no longer discern good from evil. But it’s not possible to know for certain who those people are. It is possible (and necessary), according to Jesus of Nazareth, both for their sake and ours, for us to forgive them (Luke 6:37).
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
So how do we begin? We stop trying to feel something, and do the hard work of raw forgiveness. “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor,” C.S. Lewis advises, but rather “act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets: when you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love them.”
Ah, but who is our neighbor? Jesus offers no escape for deserters. First, he defines neighbor as anyone who needs what we have to give (Luke 10:29-37). And then, in case we still find wiggle room, he insists we apply it to our enemies as well: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
But how?
The answer is there in the words. Did you see it? Pray. The more we pray for someone, the more real, the more human they become. And the more human they become, the harder it is to hate them.
So take the first steps. Yes, there’s a chance it will go badly. But do it anyway. And as you do, your enemy will become more and more real. He will have a name. She will have a past. He or she will have made terrible choices…choices you yourself might have made if circumstances had been different. Keep praying for them. Every day.
Is forgiveness enough? Probably not. But it’s the foundation for everything that follows: mercy, grace…
Maybe even love.
Note: The photo above is from Healing River, my multi-award-winning motion picture about the hard, life-changing work of forgiveness. To watch it, click here!
Finalmente una proposta seria. Ciao e grazie.
Well said.
Non sono anonimo: Francesco Giovanni Bissoli fr 180 WP.
Grazie, Francesco.
At you.
Grazie a te.
Well said, Mitch!
Thanks, Abe!
I believe in forgiveness, but not in forgetting… We all deserve many chances, but they must be taken and analysed individually. There can be no forgiveness without repentance.
God forgives before we screw up. But you are right in that until we recognize the harm we have done and are sad about it, we don’t know we even need forgiveness, so it’s like a present that never gets opened.
So true. Thank you. Blessings.
Indeed, Eileen.
Then there comes the hardest work: forgiving ourselves! Thanks again, Mitch. There is probably a strategy for self-forgiveness in there too!
Yes, there is, Gail.
Love and foregiveness… No wiggle room. No exceptions. No easy escape clause. Thanks for the reminder Mitch.
Absolutely, Malcolm.
I need to be reminded every now and again…more often than I admit. Thank you for the timely reminder.
My privilege, Sandy.
YES!
Forgiveness is about the forgiver letting go of the negative thoughts and emotions. It’s not about the person who did the unforgivable.
Praying for your enemies has always been particularly difficult but oddly liberating and the sinful feelings towards them do diminish and eventually dissipate !!! Pray is an action word I’m all about 🙂 Thank you, Mitch ~ <3
P.s. It would be unforgivable if I didn't wish you and yours a very happy, healthy, and stealthy season !!!
Amen, Sirius. And a happy, healthy, and stealthy season to you as well!
The secret to forgiveness is to forgive yourself.
If you don’t forgive, the venom from your anger will poison your soul.
So true, Nancy.
So good…C
Thank you, Cheryl.
Thank you Mitch. I’m going through some issues with someone right now that I’m struggling with forgiving. It’s almost easier to forgive those who are not very close than it is to family.
Not surprising, really, Gregory. Praying.
As a retired elementary teacher, I’ve often said that adults could take a lesson from kids and their ability to forgive one another. Some adults get so stubborn and entrenched in their positions that they are unwilling to forgive. Children just want to be friends and often work through their arguments.
Kids have a lot to teach us, don’t they, Pete.
This is do good….X
Thank you, Janet.
Beautiful words of wisdom and truth….love~anyway!! Many blessings, dear friend. 🙏🏻
You too, dear Karla.
Hello i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to Return the favore Im trying to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas
Hi Vickie, happy to help if I can. And good to meet you.
The hood news is that our God helps us to be able to forgive.
I wish you and your wife and family a Happy Thanksgiving.
For me, prayer is the key to open the door to forgiveness. From there it’s a journey. Thanks for reminding us that Jesus told us to forgive even our enemies.
Good word, Mitch. I believe many people are sick in mind and body because they refuse to forgive. It definitely is not easy, but it is essential if we want to move on in the Lord. Thanks for sharing. Some day I want to watch your movie. Diane
Great post, Mitch, forgiveness always seems so difficult, but as we have been forgiven, we must also forgive.
Exactly, Peggy.
I believe a great influencer over forgiveness is the desire to maintain control of any given circumstance. When we surrender, we have no control over the results.
Very insightful, San.
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Mr. Mitch, something that I find quite helpful is that God Does Not Merely Suggest that we considering forgiving others for our peace of mind or well-being but rather we are Sternly Commanded to forgive others:
“21 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”” – Matthew 18:23-35, NAS95
Please not that Simon Peter asks Jesus about forgiving his ‘brother’ and Jesus’ Parable speaks of A King Settling Accounts with His SLAVES not his servants, employees, peers (other kings), or any other kind of human dynamic. Slaves are property not free persons with rights. When another person wrongs us, their sins are against God directly not us since we are His Property.
We forgive because we rightly remove any claim to the debt this person has created because they create this debt towards God, The Only Creditor of all said debts. To lay a claim to another’s debt to to claim to be God All Mighty. This is blasphemy.
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