Fletcher Presbyterian Church
A Congregation in Mission
| Fletcher Presbyterian Church • 1578 Cow Camp Road • PO Box 493 • Newland, NC 28657 • Rev. George Gunn Design By: Old Paths Web Design • All Rights Reserved |
By George!
How often we have heard the
hard-hearted assertion,"I can forgive,
but I can't forget." I say hard-hearted
because forgetfulness is the true
measure of forgiveness. To carry a
bitter memory and to let an unforgotten
wrong fester is to remain in an
unforgiving state of mind and heart.
To remain unreconciled does harm to
both parties. Without forgiveness the
person wronged or misunderstood
does not know the freedom and peace
which might be given. At the same
time, the one who is not able to offer
that gift is denied the liberation from
the burden of the past and the joy of a
grace-filled future.
hard-hearted assertion,"I can forgive,
but I can't forget." I say hard-hearted
because forgetfulness is the true
measure of forgiveness. To carry a
bitter memory and to let an unforgotten
wrong fester is to remain in an
unforgiving state of mind and heart.
To remain unreconciled does harm to
both parties. Without forgiveness the
person wronged or misunderstood
does not know the freedom and peace
which might be given. At the same
time, the one who is not able to offer
that gift is denied the liberation from
the burden of the past and the joy of a
grace-filled future.
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Of course, talking about forgiveness is easier to do than to actually forgive. I believe
we need to experience forgiveness before we find the power to offer it to another.
This is where God comes in. When we accept our own fallibility, our own failure, our
own need for God's grace in each of our relationships, then we are empowered to be
forgiving.
One reason we include a prayer of confession in our worship is to make that a starting
point in looking inward and outward and declaring our dependence on God's grace
alone. As we hear the words of assurance or speak the word, "Peace" to another, we
rejoin a community of forgiveness.
Because we have received the love of God, we may say to one another, "The peace
of God be with you!"
I have found that the words of the 13th chapter of First Corinthians can be
paraphrased to speak to us about a host of virtues and values. Here is one which I
call
we need to experience forgiveness before we find the power to offer it to another.
This is where God comes in. When we accept our own fallibility, our own failure, our
own need for God's grace in each of our relationships, then we are empowered to be
forgiving.
One reason we include a prayer of confession in our worship is to make that a starting
point in looking inward and outward and declaring our dependence on God's grace
alone. As we hear the words of assurance or speak the word, "Peace" to another, we
rejoin a community of forgiveness.
Because we have received the love of God, we may say to one another, "The peace
of God be with you!"
I have found that the words of the 13th chapter of First Corinthians can be
paraphrased to speak to us about a host of virtues and values. Here is one which I
call
Forgiving Love
Seek the true meaning of forgiveness and I will show you the reconciling love of God.
If I speak in legal language of vindication and retribution, but speak without love, I will
echo songs of woe and lamentation.
And even if I imagine a merciful universe and declare all things lawful; and if I have
faith to remove every injustice, but I imagine and declare and move without showing
forgiving love, I gain neither mercy nor justice.
If I give myself without reservation and I seek God's approval by sacrificial acts, but
give without forgiving, I gain nothing ultimately.
Love where forgiveness is needed stands in for another, shows loving kindness;
stands up for those who are put down, gives a face to both friends and enemies; is
blessed in obtaining mercy.
Forgiving love forgets about its rights and does not mete out anything; it does not
deal in just deserts; does not get what it deserves. Forgiving love cancels every
I.O.U. and rewards us not according to our wrong doing.
Love that forgives does not carry the burden of self-justification, but bears up in the
acceptance of another's burden; believes in creating possibilities; experiences
another's hopes and fears. Forgiving love endures to accept and to embrace.
Love's forgiveness has no limit.
As for forgiving seventy times seven, even that is to be exceeded. For forgiveness is
not multiplication we do in our heads, but addition we do in our hearts. As for saying,
"I'm sorry," we will keep repeating our sin and our sorrow. As for assurances of
pardon, they will come unspoken. For our certainty is unsure and our righteousness
is unfounded, but when the righteousness which is God's gift is come, that which is
unrighteous will be blown away.
When I was still learning about God's forgiveness, I thought I could earn God's
acceptance; I believed I could be forgiving on my own; I reasoned that forgiveness
was a legal transaction. When I had come to forgive even as I am forgiven, to
experience God's grace, I gave up such blind spots.
For now we see the light dawning and are coming to understand how God works for
us and within us. Now we hear knowledge and reason say, "I forgive but I can't
forget," while God's forgetful, forgiving love is saying, "As far as the east is from the
west, so far have I removed your transgression from you."
So abides faith in a just God who sets things right, hope in a new creation of God's
making, and love that frees us to forgive even as we are forgiven. These three, but
the greatest is the everlasting, loving, kindness of God.
Make forgiving love your passion!
(Permission is given to reproduce, with source acknowledged.)
From Love's Letters: A Poetic Book of Confessions by George Gunn
(Library Lane Press/Copyright 2001)
Seek the true meaning of forgiveness and I will show you the reconciling love of God.
If I speak in legal language of vindication and retribution, but speak without love, I will
echo songs of woe and lamentation.
And even if I imagine a merciful universe and declare all things lawful; and if I have
faith to remove every injustice, but I imagine and declare and move without showing
forgiving love, I gain neither mercy nor justice.
If I give myself without reservation and I seek God's approval by sacrificial acts, but
give without forgiving, I gain nothing ultimately.
Love where forgiveness is needed stands in for another, shows loving kindness;
stands up for those who are put down, gives a face to both friends and enemies; is
blessed in obtaining mercy.
Forgiving love forgets about its rights and does not mete out anything; it does not
deal in just deserts; does not get what it deserves. Forgiving love cancels every
I.O.U. and rewards us not according to our wrong doing.
Love that forgives does not carry the burden of self-justification, but bears up in the
acceptance of another's burden; believes in creating possibilities; experiences
another's hopes and fears. Forgiving love endures to accept and to embrace.
Love's forgiveness has no limit.
As for forgiving seventy times seven, even that is to be exceeded. For forgiveness is
not multiplication we do in our heads, but addition we do in our hearts. As for saying,
"I'm sorry," we will keep repeating our sin and our sorrow. As for assurances of
pardon, they will come unspoken. For our certainty is unsure and our righteousness
is unfounded, but when the righteousness which is God's gift is come, that which is
unrighteous will be blown away.
When I was still learning about God's forgiveness, I thought I could earn God's
acceptance; I believed I could be forgiving on my own; I reasoned that forgiveness
was a legal transaction. When I had come to forgive even as I am forgiven, to
experience God's grace, I gave up such blind spots.
For now we see the light dawning and are coming to understand how God works for
us and within us. Now we hear knowledge and reason say, "I forgive but I can't
forget," while God's forgetful, forgiving love is saying, "As far as the east is from the
west, so far have I removed your transgression from you."
So abides faith in a just God who sets things right, hope in a new creation of God's
making, and love that frees us to forgive even as we are forgiven. These three, but
the greatest is the everlasting, loving, kindness of God.
Make forgiving love your passion!
(Permission is given to reproduce, with source acknowledged.)
From Love's Letters: A Poetic Book of Confessions by George Gunn
(Library Lane Press/Copyright 2001)
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