The basic tenet of Christianity is forgiveness. If we dont forgive others for the ways they treat us, we cant be forgiven for our own issues. Jesus said for us to forgive one another seventy times seven times. On the other hand, we seem to be caught in a conundrum: when we are mistreated, it really HURTS. How could the Lord expect us to forgive others when they do or say such mean things? And so, the rubber meets the road in this committed lifestyle of following Christ. We know that broken, wounded people break and wound other people. So what do we do? Grit our teeth and bear with them, becoming a doormat for others, a victim, a martyr for Christ? Ive surely done it. Or do we just emotionally kill them and put them into a freezer of sorts, excluding them from our lives? Well, there you go, Ive done that too. A lot. I believe I see a better way, a higher road. Jesus was neither a victim nor did He discontinue relationships with broken, wounded people that break and wound others. He loved them--you, me--to death, His own. Thats His ministry--to reconcile broken, wounded people to Him and one another. He wants to heal our broken, wounded places so that we can open our hearts to others, not cut them off nor be their victim. We must have boundaries, sure...thats a part of our own healing. But healthy boundaries dont kill people and put them in the freezer. There is a higher way, a better way. Perhaps this way is the Royal Law of Love--James 2:8.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:21:08 +0000