Christ’s example on the cross, how can any of us refuse to receive or offer forgiveness? Not one human has suffered the gravity of Christ’s injustice. Through his example, we should be inspired to offer and receive forgiveness no matter what the circumstance. Is this practice of humility difficult? Do any of us think it was easy for Jesus to ask God to forgive the people who were murdering him? No, it wasn’t easy because although his divine mission was to die, his human side dreaded making the ultimate sacrifice. In the end, his divinity took precedence over his humanity, an act for which we should be eternally grateful.
Hence, what does this background to Christ’s forgiveness have to do with the title of the first section of poems? Christians live in a secular world that does not believe in forgiveness. It believes in payback, or in saying, “I forgive”, but the words are empty, a ruse. Some people embrace forgiveness for a time, but later stab the forgiven in the back. The world takes a variety of false actions that avoid the true meaning of forgiveness.
This spiritual disrespect for forgiveness can only lead to the conclusion that forgiveness in the secular world is not authorized, and—sad to say—sometimes in the Christian world as well. Extend a hand in forgiveness but don’t mean it. Agree in love but live in resentment. Hold a grudge, develop bitterness, become cynical, and be acerbic.
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