Are there some things we can't forgive? Whew! What a question! One that demands a scrupulous review of events in our lives that need to be forgiven. Whether recent or long past, and for countless reasons, this global "house cleaning" must be done to free up our soul and spirit for greater things ahead. It's just that simple and that important.
"... "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus replies, "I say to you, not seven times but 77 times." In other words, there are no limitations on forgiveness.
But is it ethically right, or is it even possible, to forgive the terrorists who attacked America 10 years ago?
One could argue that the terrorists were not our “brothers.” Rather, they were our enemies, and so Jesus' teaching does not apply to them. Unfortunately for that argument, however, Jesus also teaches his followers, “Love your enemies.”
http://www.aberdeennews.com/opinion/aan-4a.09-18-11.ed.col.albl-20110918,0,2041701.story
To follow those commandments, though, we must first understand them. To love someone, or to forgive someone, does not mean that we simply accept or passively tolerate that person's actions. Christians also believe in a God of justice who commands believers to work actively to oppose injustice in this world. It would be unjust to passively accept the terrorists' actions, and not try to correct, as far as possible, the horrible injustice done to the victims of 9/11."
Read More:
http://www.aberdeennews.com/opinion/aan-4a.09-18-11.ed.col.albl-20110918,0,2041701.story
"In order to love and forgive, we must recognize the humanity of those who have harmed us. We must recognize the terrorists as human beings. Confused and deluded humans who committed a horrible crime, yes, but human beings none the less. They were not motivated by pure evil, but rather by a distorted and disfigured belief that they were doing good and even serving God.
If we hate, if we refuse to forgive, the bitterness of those feelings poison our own lives. The harm lives on within ourselves, and continues its destruction. Only love and forgiveness can drive it out."
Read the balance of this article at this link below:
One could argue that the terrorists were not our “brothers.” Rather, they were our enemies, and so Jesus' teaching does not apply to them. Unfortunately for that argument, however, Jesus also teaches his followers, “Love your enemies.”
http://www.aberdeennews.com/opinion/aan-4a.09-18-11.ed.col.albl-20110918,0,2041701.story
Still, we must ask, is it humanly possible to forgive and to love people who are our sworn enemies, who have murdered innocent people in cold blood, who have robbed children of their parents, spouses of their loved ones and traumatized thousands?
But for the serious Christian, the choice is not optional. Jesus' teaching is in the form of concrete commandments, not theoretical suggestions: “Forgive your brother.” “Love your enemy.”To follow those commandments, though, we must first understand them. To love someone, or to forgive someone, does not mean that we simply accept or passively tolerate that person's actions. Christians also believe in a God of justice who commands believers to work actively to oppose injustice in this world. It would be unjust to passively accept the terrorists' actions, and not try to correct, as far as possible, the horrible injustice done to the victims of 9/11."
Read More:
http://www.aberdeennews.com/opinion/aan-4a.09-18-11.ed.col.albl-20110918,0,2041701.story
"In order to love and forgive, we must recognize the humanity of those who have harmed us. We must recognize the terrorists as human beings. Confused and deluded humans who committed a horrible crime, yes, but human beings none the less. They were not motivated by pure evil, but rather by a distorted and disfigured belief that they were doing good and even serving God.
If we hate, if we refuse to forgive, the bitterness of those feelings poison our own lives. The harm lives on within ourselves, and continues its destruction. Only love and forgiveness can drive it out."
Read the balance of this article at this link below:
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