Forgiven people can forgive others! At Family Retreat this weekend, one of my friends told me about a family that forgave one who accidentally ran over their child in a car. Not only did this bring healing to the perpetrator but also to the victims.
When I read last week about the horrific bus crash in which thirteen senior adults from First Baptist Church New Braunfels died, I wondered, how do we relate to the driver of the truck which swerved into their lane. One report says this young man was texting and driving when he collided with the church bus.
One response is anger. Listen to Paul, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger brawling and slander along with every form of malice." We can be angry that something bad has happened. When John says Jesus was troubled at the death of Lazarus, the word is the one which describes a horse snorting in anger. Jesus was mad at death, and we should be too. But about the ones who nailed him to the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them . . ."
Any time we forgive we are following the pattern of Jesus. To forgive is not to approve of bad behavior. Instead it is to recognize the fault and release the blame. Two things happen when we forgive others: they are set free and so are we. It takes a lot of energy to be angry at others. Release it today, and be free.
