Dear Family and Friends,

On June 19, 2015, at a bond hearing for a young man turned murderer, family members of his victims offered these words to the man: I forgive you. My family forgives you. May God have mercy on you. Our family is built on love, we have to forgive.

Two days earlier, a dozen members of a predominantly black church welcomed a young white man into their weekly Bible study.

He sat quietly throughout the evening. But as they concluded, formed a circle and joined hands to pray, the young man took out a gun and fired 70 rounds into the unsuspecting group.

The words of forgiveness offered by grieving family members drew attention from across our nation. Why?

Because such acts of forgiveness are unheard of in today’s world. Even amongst Christ followers.

We live in a culture that’s offended by such acts of forgiveness. Our society has become so obsessed with justice and atonement, that even an eye is not considered enough retribution for an eye taken.

But those words spoken by the family members give us hope that we too may find it possible to forgive, even when the world and our flesh tell us otherwise.

Jesus taught tough lessons on forgiveness. For example, Jesus’ only clarification to the Lord’s Prayer was on forgiveness. See Matthew 6:14-15.

When Jesus ended His parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18, He again stressed the Father’s wish that we forgive.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So where are we going with this?

Let’s begin by pondering this question: Will I be able to forgive if something horrible happened to me?

Jesus was hurt horribly, intentionally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Yet, as He hung on the cross, He found the strength to utter, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬ ‭ESV‬

What steps can we take to be more like Jesus, forgiving those who hurt us?

First, acknowledge that we have been and will continue to be hurt by others.

And that the church shooting and the wildfires on Maui show how hurt often comes – with no warning.

That said, we best be prepared for the hurts that will come, and be ready to choose. Shall we follow the desires of our flesh and the ways of the world or choose to overcome those desires and forgive?

The scriptures speak of a way to overcome.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”  Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The answer lies in the cross; never forgetting, and being forever grateful for the love and mercy we received from Jesus that day.

In Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant, the servant had been forgiven a debt large beyond belief.

Well apparently, the servant either forgot about or was not grateful for the mercy he received from the master when he chose to not extend the mercy he received on to his fellow servant.

Doesn’t that sound a little like us?

Okay, I know this hurts so I’ll stop now and close with this last thought.

Despite the fact that hundreds are still missing and wildfires are still burning on Maui, the first lawsuit was filed against the power company on Maui.

Let’s pray that others will be content with the help offered and are able to forgive. 

But let’s also prepare ourselves for the likelihood of more lawsuits by guarding our hearts against following these ways. These ways are not our ways.

Those family members who spoke at the shooter’s hearing showed that it’s possible to forgive.

We too can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, forgive those who hurt us.

In love always,