A Forgiving Christian, #1

This summer has been a summer of change. Not only did I experience a new culture and way of life in Africa, but I also came face to face with some frightening truths about myself. I think the most alarming truth was learning I have been running my whole life. Running from my past, my friends, my family, and my God. I was like the drug dealer who ran from a whole squad of cops, knowing he had no chance of escape. So I now I have two choices. I can keep on running and, as a consequence, prolong my stay in a spiritual prison. Or I can give up, turn myself in, and allow God to post bail. It may sound easy, but it is a challenging decision. Both options have consequences, good and bad. Keep trusting in myself and allow no one to hurt me, or give God the chance to hurt me. If I stop running and turned myself in, I will allow my fate to be in the hands of the judge.

Yesterday I opened a can of worms and posed the question, “If Jesus were a Christian, what type of Christian would he be?” I just finished the book Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall, former pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, England. The book has been one of the most challenging reads of my life. Not only did it show me I have to stop running, but also I have to forgive whatever or whoever I am running from. No questions allowed, no apologies demanded.

“Impossible,” I thought. “Why would I forgive someone who has not apologized? Shouldn’t they be punished or at least feel guilty for what they did?” It was then I found one answer to my original question. If any Christian could forgive without seeking restitution, it would have to be Jesus. The realization was uncomfortable. If I wanted to be a Christian like Jesus, I would have to forgive like Jesus.

Now just in case you were curious about the drug dealer at the beginning of this post. He stopped running, turned himself in, and faced the judge. He expected to be criticized for running, but it was never brought up. In fact, the judge acted as if he never ran in the first place. Instead, the judge acquitted him of all charges and he walked out of that courtroom a free man.

An unrealistic story, you bet. A true story, absolutely. The lesson: You cannot run forever, eventually you will have to face whatever or whoever you are running from. But if you will cease from running, you may find freedom and forgiveness closer than you ever imagined. And who knows you might also find Jesus nearby.