Forgiveness

In a new I Am Second interview, a minister and amputee shares how he was able to forgive the drunk driver who caused him to lose his leg.

When it comes to forgiving others, I can honestly say that my children have been my teachers at least as much as I have been theirs. By nature, our children can more easily let go of anger and move on quickly after someone else has hurt them.

The cross, sin, and repentance have never been popular terms even though they are at the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus Himself said that the cross would be offensive. Sadly, many today water down the gospel and avoid talking about the cross. They want the Bible to be more appealing and marketable. But truth is not marketable! We are to guard it, proclaim it, and defend it, but never compromise it.

How many blessings are waiting at the brink? How many promises are yet to be fulfilled? How many prayers are being hindered because of besetting, unconfessed sin? Take time now to follow the example of the blind beggar of Mark 10:46-52 and repent: “[Jesus], Son of David, have mercy on me!” God often crushes our pride to open our ears.

Katherine believes that when we have a clear understanding of what forgiveness is, we can learn to embrace it, and offer it to others who have hurt us. "My grandparents played a huge role in modeling forgiveness,” she shared, highlighting that she is not only championing the dialogue about forgiveness but also demonstrating that it can be done. 

"We're not alone in this journey of life and I want people to know that life can feel lonely sometimes." And forgiveness is a key component to togetherness.

I take this pandemic seriously and you should as well. But statistically, your risk of getting the virus is still remote and the risk of dying from it is minimal, but there is a virus that we hear almost nothing about these days, and it is absolutely going to touch you. In fact, the death rate from it is 100%. The virus is sin.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian who spent eight years waiting for execution on a trumped-up charge of blasphemy, recalled her mistreatment. She described how much of sham her “trial” was, and how she was not even allowed to say anything in her own defense. She talked about the pressure she faced to renounce her faith.

And then she said, “I am not angry at all. I have forgiven everyone from my heart. And there is no hardness in me.” 

Many of us struggle while trying to carry the weight of our burdens -- burdens we could put down if we wanted to, but endlessly struggle nonetheless.

The Way Back (R) tells the story of Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck), a man who is battling alcoholism when he is given a second chance in life by coaching his alma mater, the local Catholic high school where he formerly was a star player.

It’s possible to be sorry about the consequences of sin, but not truly repentant. A penitent person turns from their sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment, or bitterness. When repentance is genuine, reconciling with those injured is a priority. Forgiveness is sought without conditions.