Forgive as Jesus taught

One of the requirements for following Christ is to forgive others for hurting us in some way. He took away our right for revenge. It is a revolutionary concept because it runs directly counter to our instincts. It is the only way to short-circuit a cycle of violence and hatred. Forgiveness is at the core of love perfected.

Consider what the Lord taught in Matthew 5:38-48:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Imagine for a moment a world where people actually lived this way. Forgive all, love all, and hate no one. You do not have to have much of an imagination to realize that it would be far superior to the one we live in.

Now consider what happens when someone actually dares to follow what Christ taught about forgiveness. From the Denver Post:

One of the victims in the Aurora theater shooting said Wednesday he's already forgiven the suspect in the rampage, James Eagan Holmes, and hopes to speak with him someday.

"Of course, I forgive him with all my heart. When I saw him in his hearing, I felt nothing but sorrow for him — he's just a lost soul right now," said Pierce O'Farrill. "I want to see him sometime. The first thing I want to say to him is 'I forgive you,' and the next is, 'Can I pray for you?'"

So here we have the story of a man harmed by another, but responds with forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. Even before his wounds were treated, his loving presence was a blessing to others, including other victims.

In the aftermath of the shooting in which 12 people were killed and 58 wounded, Pourciau and O'Farrill found themselves on adjoining stretchers waiting for treatment. Because their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, the two spent much of the time in a corner speaking about what had transpired. At some point, O'Farrill asked for a Bible and started reading. Soon, Pourciau asked if he would read some scriptures aloud to her.

Two people with every right to be afraid and angry were soon giving thanks, reading scripture, singing hymns, and forging a bond. They were healing psychologically even before their bodies had started to heal.

Any mental health professional will tell you that victims of violence often exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, complete with anxiety, depression, nightmares, sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts, and even uncontrolled rage. Violence leaves a person filled with an unquenchable fear of another attack and an equally unquenchable desire for revenge. Only those with the ability to forgive can heal psychologically.

The story was also covered by the Christian Post. Pierce O'Farrill attends Edge Church and quickly became an inspiration to pastor Ryan Heller and the congregation.

"Some of the other survivors have said that they can't or won't forgive [the shooter]. Reporters are contrasting him against other survivors, so it is important to understand what Jesus says about forgiving," Heller said according to the Baptist Standard.

Heller also encouraged forgiveness to his congregation, the Sunday after the shooting occurred.

"Pierce has already forgiven him. I think that is exactly what we need to talk about this morning is forgiveness," Heller said Sunday to his congregation. "God wants us to live lives of continual forgiveness. Forgiving brings strength and vitality."

While some Christian leaders attempted to exploit the emotional distress generated by the tragedy to cast blame and sew dissension, many others responded with love and prayers for healing. O'Farrill demonstrated the healing power of forgiveness as Jesus taught. It provides an effective witness for God's love.

The sad thing is that the story in the Christian Post was shared by very few on social media and attracted only three comments. You would think that a story that modeled the teachings of Christ would go viral instead of being largely ignored. Contrast that with stories having a culture war theme.

The other interesting reaction can be found in the comments from people calling themselves atheists to the Associated Press story of Pierce O'Farrill. Hypocrisy by Christians is often used as proof that religion does more harm than good. Yet, here we have an instance of a Christian living as Jesus taught. Instead of acknowledging the courage of O'Farrill, they could not inhibit contempt for religion. Here is one example from the Denver Post.

I don't believe in God because there is not one shred of evidence that one exists. The very fact that there is so much carnage and suffering in the world is proof to me a god doesn't exist. Ig you want to believe in your christain god go right ahead, just stop telling me how to live my life. What kind of sick and demented god would allow such carnage? I chose to live in the present and not by what a bunch of arrogant misogynists had to say 2000 years ago. I have already saved myself from the nonsense of organized religion. As long as we have religious zealots running around telling everyone how to live, the world will never know peace.

If we follow Jesus, we must leave revenge and judgment to the Lord and love others as He commanded. It is not complicated, but it is difficult.