READ: ROMANS 12: 17-21
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. (V. 17)
How would you react if a friend launched a campaign to have you branded and arrested as a pedophile to get even for a prior wrong. What would you do when the local media limelight fell upon you for being a molester of underage girls as a result of false accusations by an investigative reporter? How would you respond when a member of your family sexually abused one of your children? How would you respond to the person seeking your forgiveness for killing your spouse in an alcohol related crash? What would you do if your acts of retribution, for a perceived wrong, unjustly led to a person’s serious injury or death? Indeed, these are heavily weighted questions surrounding the fictional characters in the book, “Caught,” by Harlan Coben, whose central theme goes straight to the heart of Christian forgiveness.
The characters in Coben’s book, with two exceptions, responded in a manner that favored vengeance, retribution and hate over forgiveness. Their radar screens of life failed to register even a blip of compassion as they vigorously pursued paths of self-directed hatred. Granted, the circumstances presented in the book were somewhat extreme, yet they tend to parallel life. At one time or another, many of us have been the victim of extremely prejudicial, unfair or unjust actions at the hands of another person. When this happens, we have to make the choice to follow the Christ-centered path of forgiveness or allow our hearts and minds to be continually poisoned by the waters of vengeance and hate.
Moving away from our humanly inclined response of hate and vengeance, we must be willing to transform our inner core to loving others the way Jesus loved us. Jesus changed the dynamic of our response by treating us with underserved mercy, grace and forgiveness for our sins and transgressions. Emulating his love, we should respond to others the same way at all times and in all situations. This does not mean they should be free from the consequences for their actions, but as they are forgiven by their Heavenly Father– we should do likewise (Matthew 5: 43-54; Matthew 6: 14-15; Matthew 18: 35). Truly, this is a difficult facet of personal behavior to change but essential to experiencing the full peace of God.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Forgiveness is not just an attitude, but a way of life to be embedded within the hearts of all Christians. The transition to a forgiving heart requires total acceptance and trust in God to make all things right.
Dear Jesus, where there is injury let me sow pardon as my response to the underserved grace and love you have extended to me.