1. Forgiveness-to-destroy has many forms, being a weapon of the world of form. ²Not all of them are obvious, and some are carefully concealed beneath what seems like charity. ³Yet all the forms that it may seem to take have but this single goal; their purpose is to separate and make what God created equal, different. ⁴The difference is clear in several forms where the designed comparison cannot be missed, nor is it really meant to be.
2. In this group, first, there are the forms in which a “better” person deigns to stoop to save a “baser” one from what he truly is. ²Forgiveness here rests on an attitude of gracious lordliness so far from love that arrogance could never be dislodged. ³Who can forgive and yet despise? ⁴And who can tell another he is steeped in sin, and yet perceive him as the Son of God? ⁵Who makes a slave to teach what freedom is? ⁶There is no union here, but only grief. ⁷This is not really mercy. ⁸This is death.
3. Another form, still very like the first if it is understood, does not appear in quite such blatant arrogance. ²The one who would forgive the other does not claim to be the better. ³Now he says instead that here is one whose sinfulness he shares, since both have been unworthy and deserve the retribution of the wrath of God. ⁴This can appear to be a humble thought, and may indeed induce a rivalry in sinfulness and guilt. ⁵It is not love for God’s creation and the holiness that is His gift forever. ⁶Can His Son condemn himself and still remember Him?
4. Here the goal is to separate from God the Son He loves, and keep him from his Source. ²This goal is also sought by those who seek the role of martyr at another’s hand. ³Here must the aim be clearly seen, for this may pass as meekness and as charity instead of cruelty. ⁴Is it not kind to be accepting of another’s spite, and not respond except with silence and a gentle smile? ⁵Behold, how good are you who bear with patience and with saintliness the anger and the hurt another gives, and do not show the bitter pain you feel.
5. Forgiveness-to-destroy will often hide behind a cloak like this. ²It shows the face of suffering and pain, in silent proof of guilt and of the ravages of sin. ³Such is the witness that it offers one who could be savior, not an enemy. ⁴But having been made enemy, he must accept the guilt and heavy-laid reproach that thus is put upon him. ⁵Is this love? ⁶Or is it rather treachery to one who needs salvation from the pain of guilt? ⁷What could the purpose be, except to keep the witnesses of guilt away from love?
6. Forgiveness-to-destroy can also take the form of bargaining and compromise. ²“I will forgive you if you meet my needs, for in your slavery is my release.” ³Say this to anyone and you are slave. ⁴And you will seek to rid yourself of guilt in further bargains which can give no hope, but only greater pain and misery. ⁵How fearful has forgiveness now become, and how distorted is the end it seeks. ⁶Have mercy on yourself who bargains thus. ⁷God gives and does not ask for recompense. ⁸There is no giving but to give like Him. ⁹All else is mockery. ¹⁰For who would try to strike a bargain with the Son of God, and thank his Father for his holiness?
7. What would you show your brother? ²Would you try to reinforce his guilt and thus your own? ³Forgiveness is the means for your escape. ⁴How pitiful it is to make of it the means for further slavery and pain. ⁵Within the world of opposites there is a way to use forgiveness for the goal of God, and find the peace He offers you. ⁶Take nothing else, or you have sought your death, and prayed for separation from your Self. ⁷Christ is for all because He is in all. ⁸It is His face forgiveness lets you see. ⁹It is His face in which you see your own.
8. All forms forgiveness takes that do not lead away from anger, condemnation and comparisons of every kind are death. ²For that is what their purposes have set. ³Be not deceived by them, but lay them by as worthless in their tragic offerings. ⁴You do not want to stay in slavery. ⁵You do not want to be afraid of God. ⁶You want to see the sunlight and the glow of Heaven shining on the face of earth, redeemed from sin and in the Love of God. ⁷From here is prayer released, along with you. ⁸Your wings are free, and prayer will lift you up and bring you home where God would have you be.
Comments