"To err is human, To forgive is divine." This seems to be the refuge of many and I may add, some sinners. It is a very convenient excuse when we are guilty. It has become an easy resort for our weaknesses to cope with our human limitations. It further implies that hard commandments like forgiveness and loving one' s enemies are not achievable by us but by God alone. Therefore, because we are humans, we can commit mistakes now and then and not feel guilty about it.
But forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. A Christian could not just dispense "forgiveness" as strictly a divine act. He is expected to live it. The fact that he had been created in God's image and likeness proves that he are capable of the divine. His humanity does not enslave to the point that we can not transcend it. The grace of God, when received and lived would help any human being to go beyond himself and achieve that which is normally impossible.
I claim that many would not believe divinity would be achieved through forgiveness because they had not tried it at all! We usually get even. We prefer to the "silent treatment" tactic. We prefer to plant grudge or keep it in our hearts. We feel violated and therefore, forgiveness is merely a sign of weakness much more an act of consenting or allowing what had happened. These are what are expected in every human. These are expected of those who prefer to remain human. These are what happens to those who wanted to take cover in their humanity. These are what we resort to. But these are not what we are only capable of. We can forgive if we want. We can be like our Father who is perfect not because we want to be God too, but because it is what had been willed by the Father for us. The least we could do is to fulfill God's plan and hope for us. That much we must do if only to be worthy of this life, His life, that He shared to us.
Indeed, to forgive is divine! But not to mean that because God is divine, He is the only one who can forgive. When humans forgive, they share God's divinity. It is precisely the reason why He commanded us to forgive. God wanted us to achieve divinity in being forgiving. The Christian differs from from all other believers due to his capacity and willingness to forgive. Forgiveness is being Christian. Forgiveness is being divine!
But forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. A Christian could not just dispense "forgiveness" as strictly a divine act. He is expected to live it. The fact that he had been created in God's image and likeness proves that he are capable of the divine. His humanity does not enslave to the point that we can not transcend it. The grace of God, when received and lived would help any human being to go beyond himself and achieve that which is normally impossible.
I claim that many would not believe divinity would be achieved through forgiveness because they had not tried it at all! We usually get even. We prefer to the "silent treatment" tactic. We prefer to plant grudge or keep it in our hearts. We feel violated and therefore, forgiveness is merely a sign of weakness much more an act of consenting or allowing what had happened. These are what are expected in every human. These are expected of those who prefer to remain human. These are what happens to those who wanted to take cover in their humanity. These are what we resort to. But these are not what we are only capable of. We can forgive if we want. We can be like our Father who is perfect not because we want to be God too, but because it is what had been willed by the Father for us. The least we could do is to fulfill God's plan and hope for us. That much we must do if only to be worthy of this life, His life, that He shared to us.
Indeed, to forgive is divine! But not to mean that because God is divine, He is the only one who can forgive. When humans forgive, they share God's divinity. It is precisely the reason why He commanded us to forgive. God wanted us to achieve divinity in being forgiving. The Christian differs from from all other believers due to his capacity and willingness to forgive. Forgiveness is being Christian. Forgiveness is being divine!
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