Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Forgiveness.

Such a beautiful thing.
Though its beauty perhaps isnt always recognised in its entirety.

As a Christain, this word is epitomised in the love and grace shown to us by Jesus on the cross. Yes, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Continually attempting to run life our own way we deserve nothing. God pushes aside what we deserve however and instead offers us new life with Him.
This is forgiveness at its greatest! Amazing and beautiful. Pure and true.

As people who follow the Lord, then, we are called to walk as Jesus did, and as part of that, forgive as the Lord forgave us. Only fair I should think?! Yet why do we struggle with it so much?

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:13-14
and
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Col 3:15

Love others. Forgive, because we have no right to hold grudges or judge if God has forgiven us! And let peace, not hate or anger or bitterness, rule your hearts.

Big call? Perhaps. Yet entirely justified when we understand the fullness of what God has done for us.

The widows as their story is told in Through Gates of Splendor demonstrate this love and forgiveness at a time when so many of us would struggle to do so.

While the prayers for many were for these women who had lost their husbands, these women prayed for those who killed them that they may come to know the Lord! - “The prayers of the widows themselves are for the Aucas. We look forward to the day when these savages will join us in Christian praise.” (p.189)

While many would not only understand if the women chose to return to the States after this, let alone expect it, the women desired nothing but these people to know God and therefore stayed to continue the work their husbands started - “Plans were promptly formulated for continuing the work of the martyrs…. Revenge? The thought never crossed the mind of one of wives or other missionaries.” (p.189-190)

The sight when bodies of the five men were found would have been devastating. Each speared to death.
But the hope of these women was that just as their husbands were struck with the lances, those who killed them would be struck with His Word. - “give the Aucas, instead of fierce hearts, soft hearts. Stick their hearts, Lord, as with a lance. They stuck our friends, but You can stick them with Your Word, so that they will listen, and believe.” (p.191)

What a beautiful example of forgiving as the Lord forgave us!

posted by Chelsea Taylor @ 10:43 AM

1 Comments:

At 9:38 AM, Blogger Phil said...

Hello my only faithful blog reader (or is that commenter?)

Genuinely encourgaed by that post. Thanks for the reminder of the debt that has been paid for me. I'll walk with an extra spring in my step today as a result, and of course seek to forgive - often hard as you said!

phil

 

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