Sep
3
Coffee with Lewis: forgiveness
Filed Under Around the Church, C.S. Lewis, Christian Living, Coffee with Lewis
Every now and then I’ll start throwing in a choice C.S. Lewis quote. His insight, wit and wisdom still amaze me. Here’s a first sip from The Weight of Glory:
To forgive the incessant provocations of daily life–to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son–how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. to refuse it is to refuse God’s mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what he says.
Jesus says the a forgiven heart is a forgiving heart (Matthew 18:21-35). Is forgiveness really necessary? According to the Lord’s prayer, practicing forgiveness is as much a part of daily life as seeking food. The Bible is the story of a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin… And this God says the forgiveness I receive is to be translated into forgiveness extended to others.
P.S. Folks in and around Kosciusko ought to come to our FPC Fall Lecture Series, which begins, Thu. Sept. 4 at 6:30 pm in our fellowship hall. Rev. Brad Mercer will present six lectures over the next six weeks on “C.S. Lewis: A Man for All Christians.” Let us know if you want more information. See you there.
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