When Forgiveness Seems Impossible
What comes to your mind when you think of the word forgiveness? Forgetting? No more pain? No more anger? Letting bygones be bygones? Letting someone off the hook? Unfairness? Injustice?
I believe the Scriptures teach that whether or not we should forgive depends on our answer to the question, "What does Christlike love require?" The answer, in turn, depends on the circumstances in which we are asking the question. Sometimes love requires us to say, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Lk. 23:34). Sometimes love requires us to forgive over and over (Mt. 18:21-22). And sometimes love requires us to withhold forgiveness for the sake of the one who has harmed us.
Managing Editor: David Sper
Cover: Terry Bidgood
©1994 RBC Ministries--Grand Rapids, MI 49555 Printed in USA
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