I once read that when we fail to forgive, we hold others and ourselves in a pseudo-conscious bondage. Refusal to forgive holds the other person in the bondage of our own judgment. In our minds, the other person can never be more than what we conceive of them because of the event that led to our bitterness.
For instance, a person hurts me and I perceive him/her as a rat. He/she will always be a rat because I can’t envision anything else. Though the person is bound in my consciousness as a rat, the real bondage is NOT the other person—IT IS ME. Failure to forgive traps me. Often the other person lives their life free from bitterness trappings; but I’m bound to that singular event which holds me as a captive. It is not by chance that the Latin word for mercy (Eleison) actually means, “to unbind.”
Perhaps this is why Jesus taught often on the subject of forgiveness. Maybe it is the key to true freedom. I think so. Therefore, pursue forgiveness and in doing so, you pursue freedom.
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Matthew 23
- Tuesday – Matthew 24
- Wednesday – Matthew 25
- Thursday – Matthew 26
- Friday – Matthew 27
Please Pray for:
- The United Methodist Church
- Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
Our nation and our leaders. - Those grieving the loss of loved ones.
- Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking.
- Upcoming activities and studies planned for this fall/winter.