Saturday, July 15, 2006

Forgiveness

Forgiveness seems to be an odd topic to write about this week. With all of the violence in the Middle East, forgiveness seems to be the farthest thing from anyone's mind. But Boinkie's Blog has a post that is one of the best I have ever seen on the topic.

Some of the topics she addresses are: Why forgive? So we can be "healed?" So we can get a "get out of jail free card?" To make ourselves "feel good and superior?" What is forgiveness? Does forgiveness equal "being a doormat?" Is forgiveness being passive-aggressive, "smiling and saying you forgive, while inside you hold a terrible anger?" Is forgiveness presented as a way for "the one harming to be free of blame?"

Thankfully, Boinke's Blog emphasizes the need "to correct the abuser." As she says, "A murderer may be forgiven because of Christ's love, but unless he lives his life in reparation, such forgiveness will be meaningless." I am glad that she also addresses the issue of "giving in to hatred," and what that leads to. For the answer to forgiveness, go here.

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