Forgive

Scripture/Bible:  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:43-48

Reflection:  Now a day’s even the gentiles or the non Christians have picked up this message of Jesus on forgiveness.  It sounds heartening to see them putting into practice the great teaching or values of Jesus whether they acknowledge it or not.

But there is a difference between a follower of Christ putting into practice the 'forgiveness' teaching of Jesus and the non-believers and the pseudo-followers who profess to be Christians, some even holding legitimate office in the church.   What is the difference?  

I shall stick to two major differences. 

There those who practice 'forgiveness' as a pure therapy for all ills that they face in life.  People even conduct popular retreats based on inner healing where Jesus may have little or no role to play. These are the pseudo-followers who may even conduct workshops for corporate based on forgiveness as a principle to live by. These have an integrated New Age approach to life. 

On the other hand the followers of Christ, practice forgiveness as pure obedience to Christ, sowing his seed of the Gospel in hope, so that they may reap its rich harvest and produce dividends for the kingdom.  Theirs is the sowing done in absolute trust in God who is the one who will repay each one according to their deeds. 

In the case of the former they may even expect the other to forgive them after having beaten a person black and blue, as it is their right to make demands from their victims.

The unfortunate thing is this; we don’t realize the bungle we are getting into on account of detachment from the source of the message.

It is like seeing a beautiful model wear the best dress and buying it for yourself, God help if you have never realized the folly of investing in it in order to wear it, never to realize that what suits her may never suit you.

Prayer: Lord, May I not be wise in my own eyes; and fear you my Lord to turn away from evil. So that It may be healing to my flesh and refreshment to my bones. (cfr. Prov 3:7-8)

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