The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Pastor Alex Suderman Mennonite Brethren Church What fuel contributes to the social fires of war and terrorism? What is it that tears apart and disconnects nations, tribes, families, marriages and friendships? What is a prominent source of suffering and pain in our society today? What can hold individuals in a prison of bitterness, anger, resentment and alienation? Sadly, however true, it is the spiritual and relational cancer of unforgiveness. Now, before you tune out thinking, "I've heard this before," which I do not doubt you have, hear me out. This morning, with a few friends, I discussed this very issue. I was saddened to hear my friends share stories of their friends and family who have alienated themselves from those who care about them because they were unwilling to forgive. These people have been seriously hurt, rejected, abused (perhaps by those who were close to them). But precisely these things have frozen their hearts, which creates a cold, icy spirit hardened by resentment and anger. Bitter roots have grown up around their necks and are choking them to death, stifling them from living life to the fullest. "But I was abused, raped! I was rejected! I was robbed, they don't deserve to be let off the hook! They don't deserve my forgiveness!" Exactly, you are right, they don't deserve it, but that is precisely why it is called forgiveness. Remember, you are not doing them a favour by forgiving, you're doing yourself a favour. Seriously, have you ever experienced the freedom and relief of letting someone off the hook? There's the story of the woman who years after the fact saw her rapist on the street. She went up to him and whispered in his ear, "I forgive you." She refused to be locked up in the prison that held her back from living life to the fullest. She made the choice and began the struggle (nonetheless a difficult one) to be at least willing to forgive. When you are willing to forgive, the prison is unlocked, all you have to do now is walk out. Finally, forgiveness is found in the heart of God, which is the essence of the Gospel. I personally can not forgive someone until I have thought a bit about Jesus Christ. What I mean is this; when I reflect on the size of his sacrifice to forgive my sins (too many to count), for me to forgive someone else seems like child's play. In fact, knowing Jesus can make you want to forgive.
