“If everyone practiced an eye for an eye, the whole world would go blind.”
We live in a dog-eat-dog world. There are generational cycles of ungrace. Ungrace exists between husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and more. We think: “You hurt me. You wronged me. You offended me. You do not deserve grace. I am going to give you what you give me.”
Forgiveness is not a natural act. It takes the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit within you. Maybe you have heard it said, “I don’t get mad, I get even.” How many movies have been built on the premise of getting revenge for a wrong that has been suffered?
This is the way of the world. It is a cycle that is oft repeated. Hurting people hurt others. The worlds greatest evils are simply a response to a wrong that was suffered in the past. You take my eye, I will take both of your eyes! The next offense is usually greater than the previous.
It happens in marriage. There is a cycle. An unkind word leads to a cold shoulder which in turn leads to a more unkind word which leads to a colder shoulder. There is nothing that breaks the cycle. The hurt and pain only snowball bigger and bigger. The next offense is greater than the previous.
It’s the small offenses against us that rob us of the joy of life and the joy of each other. We miss greater things in others because we are obsessed with smaller things. The only thing that breaks the cycle is forgiveness. The only way to continue to live in relationship with another person is if forgiveness is part of that relationship.
Reflection
- Where to you see an eye-for-an-eye mentality evident in the world? In you?
- Why is forgiveness not natural?
- Where do you need to break the cycle of ungrace?
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