When we are a child and someone sins against us—is mean to
us, takes liberties with our bodies, beats us up—we don’t always realize the
wrong. Adults, especially parents, define life’s parameters for a child. If dad
uses a razor strap on bare bottoms, we may not question that behavior. We may
see it as normal until we grow up, remove ourselves, and see it with more
objectivity. Then we realize the damage, even death, to parts of ourselves. In
the midst of that pain, Jesus commands forgiveness.
Last week, I said forgiveness is a decision. The first
decision of forgiveness is to say: “She
sinned.” Then we call the person to account. Sometimes literally; sometimes
only in our own minds. But know that God holds them accountable. Someone always
pays. Either they pay or Jesus pays.
We, of course, also pay. Jesus said to me once, “Your pain
will be compensated.” In many ways, the pain of my difficult childhood has been
greatly redeemed. In other ways, I’m still paying—still experiencing sin’s
death. But, days are coming, when all death will be swallowed up in the final victory.
Father, Thank you for objectivity
to hold others accountable. Thank you for the victory yet to come.
