Hennie Symington

    “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who ill-treat you.” Luke 6:27

The world is not always a pleasant place to be. At times the horror defies description. With CNN bringing death and disaster into our homes 24 four hours a day, we cannot help but be touched by everything that is happening on God’s earth. We see the effects of hatred and cruelty before our very eyes. We see our right to safety and protection stripped away by thugs and criminals who show no mercy. And believe me it doesn’t only happen in South Africa.

At a recent funeral of a child who was killed in a crime related incident, the little girl’s grandfather standing by the graveside declared: “I am not hasty to forgive!” To forgive this kind of atrocity goes against our grain. Our human impulse is to say: “I will never ever forgive!” Yet God demands it of us.

What is forgiveness? It is an act of obedience not to hold a person’s sin against him or her. We are commanded by God to forgive. “But Lord, you don’t know how terrible it is for me!” we cry to heaven. Yet God knows precisely how terrible it is. He saw his Son die on the cross bearing the sins of all of mankind on his shoulders. His Son who said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Luke 6:27). Why is so important to God that we forgive when it goes against our every instinct and makes us want to shout: “I will never forgive you till the day I die!” That is precisely why we have to forgive because hatred is the root of our own destruction.

Bishop Tutu puts his perspective on forgiveness as follows: “To forgive is not necessarily an unselfish act. It is probably the best form of self interest.” To refuse to forgive gives the person who harmed you a hold on you because he or she fills you with hatred and anger. And in the process you become a victim twice over.

Prayer: Lord teach us in a world where the law of an eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth is the norm, to follow the example of your Son who died on the cross for our sins regardless of how great or awful they are. Amen