Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

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“Ask Larry: 9/11, Terrorists and Forgiveness?"

“Rev Davies, how do you feel about forgiving the terrorists from 9/11? The question came up in our Sunday school class and our pastor said we should forgive them. One lady said she didn’t see how we were supposed to do that? Another person said since they were dead they couldn’t ask for forgiveness and therefore, it was not a problem. I was just curious where you stood.” God Bless, Margaret.

Margaret: One of my favorite photographs displays several American fighter jets lined up in formation, loaded with bombs and guns aimed forward. The caption underneath asks, “Can Osama come out and play?” This picture accurately describes the revulsion most Americans feel toward Osama bin Laden and terrorists in general. We don’t want to see him merely captured… that would be far too humane.

What I really desire is to repeatedly watch a television news highlight video from the nose of a smart bomb as it streaks toward bin Laden’s headquarters. As he sits there smiling and laughing with his buddies, I want to see the bomb fly directly through the front door and detonate in the middle of the group. We could then rename the ruins “Revenge of ‘Ground Zero!’” Wouldn’t that be appropriate?

I know. I know, it’s not what a preacher is supposed to say but that’s how I honestly feel!

Biblical writers weren’t shy about expressing hatred toward the enemy: “…blow them away like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind! As a fire roars through a forest and as a flame sets mountains ablaze, chase them with your fierce storms; terrify them with your tempests. Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord.” (Psalm 83:13-16) Did this writer know Osama and his gang?

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The desire for vengeance is a natural reaction when we are wronged. “Don’t get mad… get even!” Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” mumbles as he points his gun at a bad guy: “Go ahead punk… make my day!” Sly Stallone would never mention forgiveness. So why should we? Why? Because Jesus expects better… revenge may seem sweet but it’s definitely not Christ-like. Here are a few examples:

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven! (Matthew 18:21-22)
Jesus taught this prayer: “…and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.” (Matthew 6:12, The Lord’s Prayer)
“Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God.” (Romans 12:19)

Forgiving someone seven times seems generous but seventy times seven is unthinkable. Yes, we say in the Lord’s Prayer how Jesus forgives our sins so we should forgive others but that’s just a prayer. Isn’t it? It doesn’t mean anything… does it? Leave vengeance to God? No way! God’s too merciful.

Jesus tells of a servant forgiven a huge debt by his king. When the same servant has an opportunity to forgive someone a minor debt he chooses punishment. The king finds out and is outraged. “I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?” In anger the king sends him to the torturer…” (from Mat. 18) Ouch, that hurts!

In other words, God will take care of Osama bin Laden but how will you take care of your attitude? An attitude of forgiveness is a critical part of our faith. An unwillingness to forgive only hurts you. So, to help you, here are four necessary ingredients for forgiving hearts all beginning with the letter P.

Process: Forgiveness is seldom a one-time event. You work on it one day and one decision at a time.

Prayer: Your focus on God through a life of prayer will always be a determining factor for forgiveness.

Persistence: A forgiving attitude is a combination of hard work and perseverance. Don’t give up.

Promise: Your benefits for forgiving others are numerous including better health and a solid eternity.

Mary Jo Uplinger wrote a devotional article with the title: “Forgiveness is like spinach. You might not like the taste but it is good for you.” Could that be the critical lesson, Jesus is striving to teach each of us? Forgiving someone like Osama bin Laden may be the most difficult process we ever undertake but with fervent prayer and dogged persistence we can strive toward the true promise of Christ… heaven.

For devotions written last year about September 11 and our response... click here.

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Last modified September 16, 2002.

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