| ON FORGIVENESS
Alas! if my best Friend, who laid
down his life for me, were to remember all the instances in which
I have neglected him, and to plead them against me in judgment,
where should I hide my guilty head in the day of recompense? I
will pray, therefore, for blessings on my friends, even though
they cease to be so, and upon my enemies, though they continue
such.
--William Cowper (1731–1800)
As we grow in wisdom, we pardon more freely.
--Anne-Louise-Germaine de Staël (1766–1817)
As we practice the work of forgiveness we discover more and more
that forgiveness and healing are one.
--Agnes Sanford
Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes
revenge and dares to forgive an injury.
--Edwin Hubbel Chapin (1814–1880) |
 I
believe this is the heart of the message that the Waodani wanted
us to receive. It is why they agreed to do the film. THEY wanted
to make an impact on US. It was their desire that we see the death
and loss that comes from hatred, the long-term damage of unforgiveness,
and the beauty that God’s love and God’s laws can create
in our lives.
--Melinda Ledman
ON FORGIVENESS (from
the Message Bible)
Exodus 23:4-5
"If you find your enemy's ox or donkey loose, take it back to him. If
you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying helpless under its load, don't
walk off and leave it. Help it up.
Proverbs
25:21-22
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you. Matthew
5:39-41
Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back
at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone
drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your
best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage
of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. Matthew
5:43-48
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten
companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to
love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone
gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then
you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what
God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to
everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all
you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.
If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?
Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects.
Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously
and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew
6:12
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Matthew
6:14-15
"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.
You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving
others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's
part. |
