The Rhythm of Forgiveness

Albert Bogle February 26, 2018 0 0

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Luke 6: 27-38

27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

In this passage we find a rhythm for living that takes our breath away. Live like this and you will end up sabotaging evil. The rhythm of hate seeks to hurt and humiliate - it creates a cycle of violence and fear. Forgiveness puts the breaks on the cycle of fear. It reverses the sequence. It has the courage to change the mood music. It is an extravagantly dangerous move to perfect. 

The rhythm of forgiveness starts and ends with courageous love. It’s all about giving self away, in order to discover your true self. This is the nature of our  outrageous self-giving God. He treats us with respect and compassion when we deserve to be humiliated and rejected. 

He absorbs the rhythm of hate into himself and in a cross shape move brings heaven and earth together, taking time into eternity and turning hate to love. To watch God dancing with angels is truly breath-taking as heaven touches earth.

Lord of the dance 

Master of the drum

Let my ears hear the music of heaven

Captivate my heart 

With the rhythm of love

Give me the courage to 

Throw myself into the dance of grace

Astound the mischief makers

And advantage takers

With your gift wrapped response of love.

Take the breath of hate out of the mouths of enemies 

Take the weapons of violence out of the hands of the violent

Let the rhythm of forgiveness beat out from the drum

As angels dance with delight 

To see heaven touching earth

And human lives transformed by love.