Extreme forgiveness

[middletree]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/05/15/amanpour.rwanda/index.html

Could you have meals with the man who killed your husband and children? Could you befriend, and go into business with, his wife?

The story takes a while to get around to mentioning that the forgiver is a Christian, and downplays that part a bit. But I know where this amazing ability to forgive really comes from. I encourage you to read the whole thing.

[markie mark]

Thanks for posting. I read the article and watched all the videos. Very moving and a great reminder of where the world goes without Jesus and where it goes with Him.

[DareDevil]

I have no idea whether I could forgive such a person and I sure hope that I will never have to find out whether I am able to forgive such a person, but I do know that this is the only way to break out of the vicious cycle of violence and revenge. Still, we should also not forget the offender either. I mean, I have no clue whether he was only pulling off a show or not, but somehow I doubt it. Still, even if it was a lie then the woman's act of forgiveness may still lead to something good in this man's heart!



*prays for ALL who are involved*

[Andi]

Now, that is an awesome story.

Grace at it's finest.

I have said before, that Christianity is the hardest religion to practice. Our beliefs are based on faith, forgiveness, grace, and trust. This story points out how difficult and important those things are. Love thy enemy, love thy neighbor....all very difficult to do even living an easy life. I can not imagine doing that in Rwanda....how heavenly that story is.

Grace at it's finest......not as hard as it looks though - especially with the Teacher we have been provided!

[middletree]

Now, that is an awesome story.

For once, I agree with the above description!

Love thy enemy
I think a lot of us, especially me, hear the "love thy enemy" sermon, nod our head, then feel as if we are obeying this command when we merely tolerate our enemy. Jesus has a higher standard than that, though. He commands us to love our enemy. It takes supernatural ability to do that.

[Andi]

For once, I agree with the above description!


I knew you would. ;)



I think a lot of us, especially me, hear the "love thy enemy" sermon, nod our head, then feel as if we are obeying this command when we merely tolerate our enemy. Jesus has a higher standard than that, though. He commands us to love our enemy. It takes supernatural ability to do that.


Absolutely. To "love thy neighbor" the way Jesus wants us to requires first for us to have an extremely close relationship with Him....for only through Him can we ever hope to establish that kind of love in our hearts.

[mindyhere]

For once, I agree with the above description!


I think a lot of us, especially me, hear the "love thy enemy" sermon, nod our head, then feel as if we are obeying this command when we merely tolerate our enemy. Jesus has a higher standard than that, though. He commands us to love our enemy. It takes supernatural ability to do that.

I try not to say "that word" in any threads you've started. I am one to tend to over use it. It's just part of my vocab.

About this story - it's amazing, and how wonderful that she is able to be released from hatred and pain that not being able to forgive would surely result in.

[DareDevil]

(...)


I think a lot of us, especially me, hear the "love thy enemy" sermon, nod our head, then feel as if we are obeying this command when we merely tolerate our enemy. Jesus has a higher standard than that, though. He commands us to love our enemy. It takes supernatural ability to do that.
I'm not sure whether it is necessarily some kind of hidden unwillingness to forgive. I rather suspect that most people are simply afraid of the possibility that the wrong-doer is only faking remorse. I'm sure that the woman from this article had similar fears which she had to overcome first.

[middletree]

I'm not sure whether it is necessarily some kind of hidden unwillingness to forgive. I rather suspect that most people are simply afraid of the possibility that the wrong-doer is only faking remorse. I'm sure that the woman from this article had similar fears which she had to overcome first.

That's not what Jesus says to do when it comes to forgiveness. He didn't say "Love your enemies once they become contrite." Our forgiveness is totally separate from what the other person does.

[DareDevil]

That's not what Jesus says to do when it comes to forgiveness. He didn't say "Love your enemies once they become contrite." Our forgiveness is totally separate from what the other person does.
True!
Still, you have to admit that it is easier to forgive when the wrong-doer is obviously REALLY feeling remorse, right?

[sandyandporter]

True!
Still, you have to admit that it is easier to forgive when the wrong-doer is obviously REALLY feeling remorse, right?

Yes, it is easier. That is why I agree with Andi that Christianity is the most difficult religion to practice. I struggle with loving the people I love let alone my enemies. I struggle with loving myself! Let's face it.... I struggle!

Thanks for sharing this James. I am truly (once again) humbled.

[DareDevil]

It is also the most rewarding religion to practice though. True forgiveness is not only a blessing for the one who is forgiven, it is also liberating for the person who is doing the forgiving! I mean seriously, hate is not only dangerous for the target of the hate, it is also self-destructive. I mean, just take a look at history and you will see how much pain blood feuds have caused in the past and that only because nobody was willing or able to break out of this vicious cycle! :(

[Andi]

It is also the most rewarding religion to practice though.


I'll say! Eternal life with our Creator! Woo Hoo!!! ;)



(And I bet there will be no gray smilies in Paradise....only bright colorful ones!)

[sandyandporter]

I'll say! Eternal life with our Creator! Woo Hoo!!! ;)



(And I bet there will be no gray smilies in Paradise....only bright colorful ones!)

Yes Andi, Heaven is just like a box of Crayola's!!!

I agree as well though.

[rossid]

Hotel Rwanda and I think a PBS documentary chronicle, in different ways, what happened to the Hutu people.