I read the lesson this week and I am still struggling with how out of step it feels with the Life of Christ. This idea that forgiveness is attached to the correct words and actions of repentance seems to fly in the face of several things I remember Jesus saying in the gospels:
- love your enemies
- love your neighbors
- And give forgiveness 70 X 7...
Sounds like in that scenario, the person really did not do anything to "change".
Several years ago, I remember teaching a lesson that said...love doesn't demand a change, it causes it! This whole language of apology just seems like family counseling and not living the life of Christ; which goes so much further than this lesson.
I think that I will choose to go "further still". To forgive without an apology, to love in such a way that I cause an offense less often and when I do, to love more because I am told, "love covers a multitude of sins". This way I don't have to follow some formula of apology or love, it will just overflow out of a heart that is loved deeply by my God and my Savior. That kind of love can't help but spill over.
Right now as I listen to worship music while I write these words, I am smiling thinking, if God loves me as much as he has demonstrated in the Life of Christ and his death on the cross, shouldn't it show in my life as I lay my will down?...Answer: ABSOLUTELY. I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow to worship.
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