HOW CAN WE FORGIVE THEM?

        When evil or tragedy occur, how can we forgive? This past week Dallas policewoman, Tammy Guyger, was given a 10-year sentence for mistakenly killing her neighbor, a man she mistakenly thought was an intruder in her own apartment. It was a tragic misjudgment made by an exhausted Peace Officer whose actions caused a tragic death. No matter what the circumstances, she had caused an innocent man to die, and the law handed her its verdict.

        Surprisingly, a younger brother of the victim asked if he could embrace the tearful Guyger, to forgive her and tell her of God’s love. His request was not only granted, presiding judge Tammy Kemp even joined in embracing the tearful Officer and gave her a Bible to read. Both the District Attorney and the Dallas Mayor commended the brother and the Judge for their mercy in forgiving the Officer.

        But the emotional moment didn’t last long. That same day the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint with the Texas State Judicial Conduct Commission stating the judge overstepped her authority. The group’s letter stated the actions “…violated a vital constitutional principle for a sitting judge to promote personal religious beliefs while acting in her official capacity.”

        As author Oscar Wilde reportedly wrote, “No good deed goes unpunished”. Yet what happened in that courtroom was a miracle. A guilty person was forgiven, and a tragedy became a lesson in the value of forgiveness. Regardless of the reactions of others, that precious gift of forgiveness  that was give will always remain.

        Jesus told His disciples, “If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15) A part of God’s granting us forgiveness depends on whether we are willing to grant forgiveness to others. 

        In 2006, five Pennsylvania Amish schoolgirls were gunned down by a deranged man, and the Amish community chose to forgive him and show mercy to his family rather than curse and hold grudges that would only cause more harm. The Amish even attended the shooter’s funeral and set up a charitable fund for his widow and family. They, too, opted for mercy rather than curses.

        There is a time for Law and a time for Gospel, “A time to love and a time to hate.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8), a time to accept sin’s consequences and a time to forgive them. Jesus gave His life on the cross that we might all be forgiven, even those who kill His children and those who curse and deny His love.  

“Father forgive them, for the know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Rev. Robert L. Tasler, www.bobtasler.com