True forgiveness means never mentioning it again. Forgiving the betrayer is hard, not mentioning it, nearly impossible.
Word assault
The words spoken punched me right in the gut. A friend of the deceased told a story that pummeled me in my weak places. There was an altercation between a forklift and a barn. The forklift won. As he apologized profusely for the destruction, his friend, like the true gentleman he was, just smiled and said, “It’ll be alright.” He never fixed that hole in the wall and he never mentioned it again.
Really, he never mentioned it again? Who does that? Personally, I’d snug my jacket around my chin and tease, “Ooooo,, do you feel that draft?” Of course I’d be the only one enjoying the jab.
“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6 (NLT)
Kisses and betrayals
I desire to be like Jesus, you know the One who was betrayed by one of his closest buddies. Nothing hurts worse than betrayal by one you counted on to be there in your hour of need. Jesus knew Judas’ plans yet he broke bread with him and washed his feet. Could you kneel and scrub the grime off of your enemy’s feet? I believe I could did. But not without mentioning it again….
When Judas kissed Jesus, he marked Him for a cruel death. After all Jesus suffered, He never mentioned his name again. Me, I’d be like, “Did you hear what Judas did?” or “Ya’ll be careful and don’t fall into the trap of the enemy, you know, like ol’ Judas.” In fact, I’d probably mount Judas’ head in that hole in the barn wall so all could remember the suffering he caused. Honestly, I’d have a whole trophy room full of evidence on display.
“Love … does not keep a record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (HCSB)
How do you forget the pain of betrayal?
Have you been kissed by a friend and delivered into the hands of your enemy? How do you forget the pain of betrayal? Well, if you want the truth, I’m probably more qualified to tell you how to remember.
- Rehearse your case over and over and over in your mind
- Tell others and highlight your own righteousness
- Make the pain the center of your universe, your thoughts, your motives, your life
- Pray about it, keeping continual focus on the hurt
I can’t presume to know what Jesus thought about as He drew His last ragged breaths and warm sticky blood dripped from His torn flesh. Was He thinking of me? Or you? Maybe. He spoke to the thieves beside Him, but most of all He focused on submitting to God’s divine plan for restoration, not Judas. Yeah, I should try that.
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 (ESV)
Follow Jesus, not me
- He gave thanks – “On the night when He was betrayed the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks.…” 1 Corinthians 11:22-23a (HCSB)
- He humbled Himself and…
- obeyed- “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Phillipians 2:8 (NKJV)
- He submitted to God’s plan and chose not to remember – “But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins- that’s what I do. I don’t keep a list of your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 (MSG)
Forgiving the betrayer
Christ laid down His life so I could receive forgiveness, and I am also His betrayer. How dare I not give it others!
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ~
C.S. Lewis
Maybe, just maybe, if I trust God, His will and His plan, I can forgive and shift my focus to the One who is worthy of my attention. Remind me, if when I mention it again.
A wonderful reminder of the importance of forgiveness. Thank you.
I always need to remind myself
Everything I have seen / heard / read this week was about forgiveness. God is shining a laser on my unforgiveness. My gig is up.
Accountability, deal?
Oh man, why is that so hard???? I can let go of my past and my sin because I have trusted Christ and know that He has forgiven me, but I can’t or won’t forgive others in the same way. Good reminder – – – Thanks!!!!
I think I have but then …
Yes. God instructs us to forgive those who have hurt us: Matthew 6:9-13, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13&version=ERV . He also explains why we are to forgive: Matthew 18:21-35, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A+21-35&version=ERV . I am so very grateful that forgiveness is not a feeling. Forgiveness is an act of the will. We can choose to forgive. And in so doing, we will be set free from the prison of our emotional pain. To God be the glory.
And I have to choose it over and over
As do we all. One of the things I have discovered about implementing purposeful forgiveness is that little by little the pain associated with the harm done to me lessens as I deliberately forgive. When the wind of time turns a page in my book of memories to reveal a hurt, I choose to forgive. Forgiveness then loosens the binding of the page. Eventually time and forgiveness turn the page back and forth so many times that it falls out of my book, never to be seen again. I am grateful. Onward, dear Vickie. The best is yet to come – because God is faithful.