“If I wanted to be a Christian like Jesus, I would have to forgive like Jesus.” An unsettling recognition to say the least. So what exactly does that imply? Does it mean I must forgive all who do evil to me? Yes. Even if they hurt me repeatedly? Definitely. What if they do it maliciously? Even more so. So you mean I am to allow myself to be trampled on and to be taken advantage of? Now you are getting it.
What??!!!
Before you think I have last all sense, ask the same questions about Jesus:
Did he forgive all who did evil to him? Well he did die for the world.
Did they hurt him repeatedly? Even his closest friends hurt him more than once.
Did they hurt him maliciously? Think back to the angry mobs and the Pharisees.
Was he trampled on and taken advantage of? He was not only literally trampled on, but also taken advantage of by his supposed followers. Do you remember the followers who asked for food because they thought he was a cheap dinner date?
When I first started to think about forgiveness (and by that I mean genuine forgiveness), I was confused. But that is just the thing. Forgiveness does not click with the human mind. “Why,” you ask. Because it is not a remote control. (No pun intended, well maybe a little.) You cannot turn it off and on whenever you please, it is a lifetime commitment. It is not conveniently misplaced, it is always there. Forgiveness is more like solar energy and God the sun. As long as God lives, there is power to forgive. As long as God shines, there is hope for reconciliation.
A forgiving Christian. Its not easy, but its necessary. At least if you want to be a Christian like Jesus.
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