One of the most difficult things for people to do is to ask forgiveness. It seems more difficult in our day and age than in the past because we are being taught to think for ourselves, and about ourselves; and therefore, forgiveness never comes into play.
We are so engulfed in selfishness and our own pride, that we neglect other's in the process. We even give to the homeless, or to charities through our own selfishness than through any real need to help the needy and under privileged. We think we are doing a good thing, but are we really? or are we just doing it because we are told to do it through radio and television, and any other advertisements that come are way.
It is refreshing to read an article about a possible criminal act committed, when the one who is responsible is so quick to ask forgiveness of the parties that were hurt the most because of his negligence. I say a possible criminal act committed because the article that I read doesn't give all the circumstances that caused the driver to hit the elderly man in the first place. I wish the article would have said more; than I could get a better understanding of what happened. Was the driver drunk? or was he driving recklessly would have given me some better incite on what kind of forgiveness he bestowed on the victims family.
The most important thing here is that he did ask forgiveness in a court of law, which really takes a lot of courage and foresight on his part. I am happy that both sides were able to come up with amiable agreements in order to resolve the situation.
Jesus Christ speaks a lot about forgiveness, and it is ashame that most Christians don't really stop to think about what he is saying on the subject. I have gone to wakes and funerals where a direct relative of the deceased wouldn't even attend the services because of some argument that the two of them had 20 to 40 years earlier.
This is a shame, and the lack of forgiveness can play an important role in keeping people a part; and at the opposite sides of the street so to speak. Jesus Christ constantly warns us against this, and tells us to make any disputes right before it's to late; or you will suffer consequences. It is to bad that there isn't enough preaching on this in our church's of today. We have a tendency to ask forgiveness in proxy; and this is what is being preached in the church's today, but is this what Jesus Christ actually said? Let us find out:
"But I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment, and whosoever shall say to his brother Worthless one! shall be liable to the high council; and whosoever shall say Rebel! shall be liable unto the fiery gehenna (Valley of Hinnom; Valley of Jerus used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment--Hell, symbolic-possibly reference to the fiery refuge dump that were outside of Jerusalem in these valley's. The dumps burned continuously and fiery; and were called Hell or Hades - Sheol is the Hebrew equivalent - Matt. 5:22, Rotherham's Emphasized Bible).
If therefore, thou be bearing thy gift towards the alter and there shouldst remember that thy brother hath aught against thee leave there thy gift before the alter, and withdraw, first be reconciled unto thy brother, and then coming, be offering thy gift. Be making agreement with thine adversary quickly while though art with him in the way lest once thy adversary deliver thee up unto the judge and the judge unto the officer, and into prison though be cast. Verily I say unto thee, In no wise mayest thou come out from thence, until thou pay the last halfpenny (Matt. 5:23-26, Rotherham's Emphasized Bible)."
Does this sound like Jesus is saying that you should act in proxy? Maybe I should explain what proxy actually is. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of proxy is: "A person authorized to act for another. The authority to act for another. The written authorization for such action." It is true that one can act in proxy for another, especially when it comes to prayer, fasting, or in support of another that doesn't have the mental capacity to handle his own affairs. This truly can be done, but there are to many Christians that will ask forgiveness of another (in proxy, or authorizing themselves to forgive the person without any reconciliation) without ever considering resolving the situation with that other person. Jesus here is actually saying that you are to resolve, not proxy.
When Jesus Christ died on the cross; he acted as a proxy sacrifice. This was justifiable because God keeps his covenants and promises, and because of the Prophecies in the Old Testament that are involved. God had covenants that were broken and had to be fixed. Something that God could only do, we are not capable of doing this because of our sinful nature. This is why Jesus consistently tells us to ask for forgiveness on a regular basis. Some Bibles say that you are to ask forgiveness 7 times 777; 7 being the Holy number for God. However, my Rotherham's Emphasized Bibles doesn't say this in this way. I think that it is more exact and to the point.
The reason for this is because much of what we say can actually act as a curse. We don't ever think that sin is actually a curse on the Adamic race. Jesus Christ broke this curse upon his death and resurrection, and because of this; he is hated by most of the world at large. The Jews hate him (the Talmud says so), those in the occult hate him, Satanist's hate him, and so forth. For some reason many people like to live in their own curses. However, Jesus Christ tells us not to allow this to happen because those curses that we bestow on other's will eventually destroy us. "If any thinketh he is observant of religion, Not curbing his own tongue. But deceiving his own heart, This one's religious observance is vain (James 1:26, Rotherham's Emphasized Bible)."
"So also the tongue is a little member and yet of great things maketh boast. Lo how small a fire kindleth how great a forest; And the tongue is a fire, --As the world of unrighteousness the tongue becometh fixed among our members, that which defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the wheel of our natural life. And is set on fire by gehenna (James 3:5-6 Rotherham's Emphasized Bible -- again that fiery word as stated above. Gehenna is Hebrew--interesting that it is in the New Testament which was written in Greek)."
It is interesting that there is a new program on TV. that is called, "Gossip Girl," gossip is the one thing that God tells us never to do; because you can inevitably curse someone with gossip. I realize that we all have personalities, and joking around with a good sense of humor, poking fun of someone in a corrective way; or in a way that doesn't malign the person is acceptable. But talking about someone falsely or in a half truth about him; or to destroy his character can bring about a curse on the individuals involved.
This can also happen through ignorance, or a third party, and so forth; but this is what Jesus Christ tell us never to do. If this does happen, you are to resolve it as soon as possible. The more it lingers, the more it fester; and eventually it will never get resolved. This could bring serious consequences.
However, if you do try to resolve the situation by confronting the other person with an act of forgiveness; and the other person won't hear of it, or walks a way; than you can do no more. All you can do is walk a way, they will be held accountable at the Great White Throne Judgement for not being willing to resolve the situation that you have offered to resolve. You have done your part, and I think that it behooves everyone to take heed to what I am saying here.
"And when ye stand praying forgive, if aught ye have against any, --that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your offences (Mark 11:25)." "And do not judge ("krino," Greek, to distinguish, decide, to try to condemn, decree, determine, punish, avenge, sentence to. It can actually mean, "to goddamn someone." Strong's Exhaustive Concordance -- not the same as John 7:24), and nowise shall ye be judged; And do not condemn (passing a railing damnable judgement--gossip can be applied here), and in nowise shall ye be condemned; Release (Resolve), and ye shall be released (resolved) (Luke 6:37, Rotherham's Emphasized Bible)."
It is good to hear of a case that can be resolved and dealt with in a Godly way. This seems to be missing in our culture today, and our own government has made every attempt to dissolve any possibility for individuals to be able to resolve situations in this way. This is one reason why prayer was taken out of schools, why we have abortion on demand, and even partial birth abortion; and why crime is on the rise. Granted, this individual will have to pay the price for his negligence; but he has done the most important and courageous act; and that is, resolving the situation not only in a court of law, but in front of God and the people he hurt the most. Hopefully his relationship with this family will be much stronger because of this act of kindness. We must remember; even though were all in the same canoe, we all row with different paddles.
