“Christians, of all people, should not need to see full justice done in this life. We should pursue what we can, but we rest in the knowledge that, in the end, God will square every account, and absolutely everything will be made right. . . . Our job is to get as full a justice as we can and leave the rest to God.”- Timothy Keller
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”- Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 11 of Forgive with the fourth and fifth ways to overcome evil with good.
4. Give them what they need, to whatever degree they allow. If the opportunity presents itself to do something for the wrongdoer to meet his or her needs, do it. However, Pastor Keller cautions, this must be done with great discernment.
5. Do it humbly. You make the perpetrator worse when you confront for your sake. Therefore, Pastor Keller counsels, confront the offender for their sake, truth’s sake, and the world’s sake. Certainly, when you forgive them in humility and love, they may not like what you’re saying. But they will see that you care for them. And you might actually be able to help them.
In conclusion, Pastor Keller tells the story of Australians Graham and Gladys Staines. They worked as medical missionaries at clinics and at a home for lepers in a very poor part of India. However, on January 22, 1999, an anti-Christian mob torched the car Graham and his two sons (ages ten and six) slept in, burning them alive.
Yet, for the rest of her life, Gladys demonstrated forgiveness to the attackers. Because Gladys and her daughter stayed to minister in the same place to the same people. In addition, Gladys built to leper home into a full hospital. Above all, the government of India awarded Gladys the Padma Shri, India’s highest civilian award. It’s given for distinguished contributions to the nation.
Today’s question: When hurt by another, how hard is it for you to let God square every account? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of Forgive
