My daughter and I are in a local production of The Hiding Place, a play based on the life of Corrie Ten Boom.  Corrie and her family were followers of Christ who hid Jews from the Germans during World War II.  They were discovered, captured, and imprisoned. Only Corrie survived the camps.  To call it a powerful story is an understatement of the highest order.  This week I want to take a look at some of the lessons we can take from this story.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you  (Ephesians 4:32).

One of the most painful lines in the show comes from Betsy, Corrie’s sister.  She has just been struck by a guard and is sprawled on the ground in anguish.  As she lies there, she preaches forgiveness to her sister.  “Jesus died for those who beat him,” she says, “and those who beat us.”

Wow.  I really, completely, thoroughly, absolutely don’t like that even a little bit.

It’s much easier for me to identify with Corrie.  When she encounters that same guard, years later, she cries out to the Lord, “Forgive me, but I don’t want to stop hating him!  He deserves it!  He deserves my hate, forever!”

And it’s true.  He does deserve her hate.  But God has called her to forgive.

So, the Lord of the Universe calls us to the same kind of sacrifice He endured, turning aside from wrath and showing mercy and forgiveness to those who spew their evil upon us.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Isn’t that what he said?

This is an intriguing concept in the abstract, a concept worthy of discussion and debate.  Except that the Gospel refuses to stay abstract.  It has a frustrating way of working its way inside you, like ticks, or radiation.

Or…you know…something nice.

And here’s the kicker.  Forgiveness begets freedom.  That hate in your heart is dragging you down; you know it as well as I.  You will never be the person God has called you to be until you let go of your righteous, well-earned hate.

So, Beloved, who is it that you do not want to forgive?  

Yes, I am going there.

And so is He.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.