12/31/2023 0 Comments Tim keller forgivenessIf the wrong-doer has to do something to merit it, then it isn’t mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness” - Tim Keller “Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrong-doer. Today, we believe everyone who came in contact with our mother experienced the living and loving hands of Jesus! She shined with His love in spite of her pain and she now rests in God’s arms… forgiven, and finally knowing how to completely forgive others. In her last years, her body grew weak and, as the mind follows, we knew our conversations about forgiveness would only cause her more stress. And, the bitter root that bore anger, unforgiveness, pain, hopelessness, injustice… they all wanted to over-grow her beautiful garden of roses. It finally occurred to us that our beautiful mother, who love us so completely and gave her life to bless and serve others, had what the Bible called a “root of bitterness”. They had become ‘familiar friends’ who had been traveling companions along the paths of life, and to lose sight of them would make her feel alone. The complete freedom she could have found in Christ was not to be hers, as deep within herself Mom found she could not let go of the memories. Unfortunately, she continued to repeat the painful stories of the past to anyone who would listen. She received the victory of the Cross: that Jesus had died for her sins and, as we reminded her, for the sins of the people who had wounded her. We hurt for her… and after mom fell in love with Jesus at the age of 65, we had many conversations and prayers together about God’s principles on forgiveness. Some grievances were over 80 years-old because she had out-lived everyone, but still they were her un-welcome living companions. She wanted to forgive and, at times, believed she had forgiven… but then the long list of people who had hurt her would return, and each incident, yes… even every word and each outcome, would be re-lived in “living-color”, as if they were yesterday. However, she had a quiet secret that was “un-see-able” to most… but we who were close to her knew well: She could not forgive. This wonderful woman was our mother, mother-in-law and grand-mother. We were young and strong with all of life’s possibilities standing in front of us, but in her presence we felt weak, lazy and so self-concerned. To rub salve on someone’s open-wound, wash their dirty hair… or cut their thick toe-nails, had long ago been settled in her heart as the right thing to do. To grow roses was not only to decorate her garden but to decorate a grave, too. When she mowed her lawn it was to mow a neighbor’s, as well. The love of a grand-mother who could laugh at two little girls who had covered themselves, and her house with a bag of flour, eased our embarrassment and apologies. A promise to a dying husband, who could no longer take care of himself, but wanted to live at home, was honored. We could only watch her as a flip of the spatula or a stir of a spoon produced the most delicious food to be carried in warm dishes to the sick, or plain hungry. Love, strength, compassion and service flowed from her easily… like breathing in-and-out. To say we adored her was an understatement. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” - Colossians 3:13 (NIV) If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting and making a one-time or recurring donation.“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Series: The Fruit of the Spirit – The Character of Christ. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on May 17, 1998. There are three things in today’s passage Jesus tells us that are very important to understand about the practice of forgiveness: 1) forgiveness is a particular aim, a goal 2) forgiveness is an action 3) forgiveness is acceptance. We don’t look at the law and follow it as an end in itself, but we look at Jesus to be changed from the inside out – this is where we get the power to truly practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is not just one of the many biblical commands that we have to force ourselves to do, but forgiveness becomes genuine and real when there is a deep change at the heart level. First, what God calls us to do and secondly, how to get the power to do it. Today we’re going to look at the practice of forgiveness in the Christian life.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |