Bearing the Burden of Wrongs
"Do not repay evil with evil"
1 Peter 3:9
1 Peter 3:9
On
January 30, 2018, almost thirty-eight years after his conviction,
Malcolm Alexander walked out of prison a free man. DNA evidence cleared
Alexander, who had steadfastly maintained his innocence amid a myriad of
court proceedings that were tragically unjust. An incompetent defense
attorney (later disbarred), shoddy evidence, and dubious investigative
tactics all put an innocent man in prison for nearly four decades. When
he was finally released, however, Alexander showed immense grace. “You
cannot be angry,” he said. “There’s not enough time to be angry.”
Alexander’s words evidence a deep grace. If injustice robbed us of thirty-eight years of our lives and destroyed our reputations, we would likely be angry, furious. Though Alexander spent many long, heartbreaking years bearing the burden of wrongs inflicted upon him, he wasn’t undone by the evil. Rather than exerting his energy trying to get revenge, he exhibited the posture Peter instructs: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:9).
The Scriptures go a step further: rather than seeking vengeance, the apostle Peter tells us we are to bless (v. 9). We extend forgiveness, the hope of well-being, for those who have unjustly wronged us. Without excusing their evil actions, we can meet them with God’s scandalous mercy. On the cross, Jesus bore the burden of our wrongs, that we might receive grace and extend it to others—even those who have wronged us.
Alexander’s words evidence a deep grace. If injustice robbed us of thirty-eight years of our lives and destroyed our reputations, we would likely be angry, furious. Though Alexander spent many long, heartbreaking years bearing the burden of wrongs inflicted upon him, he wasn’t undone by the evil. Rather than exerting his energy trying to get revenge, he exhibited the posture Peter instructs: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” (1 Peter 3:9).
The Scriptures go a step further: rather than seeking vengeance, the apostle Peter tells us we are to bless (v. 9). We extend forgiveness, the hope of well-being, for those who have unjustly wronged us. Without excusing their evil actions, we can meet them with God’s scandalous mercy. On the cross, Jesus bore the burden of our wrongs, that we might receive grace and extend it to others—even those who have wronged us.
Today's Reflection
Without
excusing their actions, how can you extend mercy to others who have
wronged you? What will it mean for you to “bless” them?
IM in complete shock. I can't believe this happened to this man, and happens to people all the time! It's SO unjust and so unfair but his attitude is what really blows me away. We could spend so much of our life bitter and angry but that doesn't add anything to our lives, his attitude inspires me and all around me. God wants us to be graceful and loving even when it feels impossible. I have heard countless stories about those that have been wronged so badly and then they turn around and forgive immediately! It's really truly mind blowing.
ReplyDeleteDespite all the head knowledge of God's instructions not to repay evil with evil or seek revenge, I am beside myself how he could be so gracious after being served such an injustice. This reminds me of a story about Corrie Ten Boom who was speaking in Germany after WW II and a man came up to shake her hands and told her how much the talk of God's forgiveness meant to him. She was startled to see that he was one of the guards in the concentration camp who exacted cruel punishment towards her sister and herself. She said it was only by the power of the Holy Spirit that she was able to extend her hand and welcome him as a new brother in the faith.
ReplyDeleteThis is a heart breaking and amazing story. I read today, an excerpt to my students from "A Word According to God" where the author points out that "forgiveness is an unnatural act...literally beyond human capacity...(but is also) a divine gift...(and) as they experience the grace of divine forgiveness, Jesus hopes that disciples will find it easier to forgive those who have wronged them." Its one of my favorite readings all year and we talk about the different people we might need to forgive, including friends, parents, teachers and even God himself!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I love that word about forgiveness being beyond human capacity. Only through Christ can we find true forgiveness, and the ability to forgive!
ReplyDeleteUnjust things happen every day. It takes God's grace and power to enable us to forgive others. It doesn't stop at forgiving once. In my experience forgiveness much happen over and over again until we are "done" with it.
ReplyDeleteI forget that we are called to be persecuted in our faith. I believe that part of that is having things being done to us and we don't retaliate in return. To our culture this is very hard to relate to. Most in society want revenge and want it now. There have been countless times that people around me have said to advocate for myself more, don't take that etc., but I trust God has me in that situation to show grace. How much is enough? Still haven't figured that one out.
ReplyDelete