I feel a fresh understanding of something I often considered, but needed to be challenged in, wash over.
Forgiving others as we are forgiven.
I believe wholeheartedly that this is not a command given to us by God as a "suggestion" to help us gain peace.
To those who have been given much, much is expected.
Consider others better than yourself.
Love one another.
Turn the other cheek.
This is what sets us apart from unbelievers.
Our love and our willingness to forgive.
Our willingness to do unto others as we would have them do, regardless of what they have done.
But do we really do this?
Do we take the the ugly criminal of a grudge, fueled by self righteousness, and do we battle it head on, not relenting till it is completely defeated?
Or do we beat it till we grow tired and then brush it under the carpet, it is weak for a time, but grows stronger, yet out of sight, subtly.
Do we put others before ourselves when it conveniences us?
Or perhaps when we are faced with our own sin and desire a quick feeling of restitution that soothes our wounded spirit?
What if we were able to let go of all pretense, humble ourselves, and swallow our prides, and offer the cup of true forgiveness?
I struggle to know what that even looks like? It doesn't say "I forgive" yet harbor unspoken resentment. It doesn't "forget" the sin until something else happens and then it is remembered with fierce recollection.
Its to go to that person who rubs you the wrong way, who makes your life difficult, who is abrasive, obnoxious, smug. It is to take the basin of water and wrap your cloak around you and kneel and remove their sandals and wash their feet.
Oh, that I would know this level of humility. It feels like a discipline, a depth of holiness, that I am far from grasping. But I desire it, I know in my heart it is worthy of seeking.
Forgive, as you have been forgiven.
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