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Some thoughts on forgiveness
John 20:23
“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven”
Is there anyone who has not been hurt by those they most trusted?
I think we underestimate the extent and the effect of trauma, abuse, rejection …. In the lives of many, if not most, of the people in our churches and communities
And here’s the thing. The very first calling of the new Jesus movement - before the ‘great commission’, the very first thing Jesus told them they were sent to do, the thing he breathed the Holy Spirit into them to do, is to bring forgiveness. This is so powerful a gift to give each other. You could argue it’s the first gift of the Holy Spirit
What would it be like if our church communities became places of forgiveness and grace? How can we create safe places for people to heal from emotional and spiritual abuse and pain?
Maybe we can seek the forgiveness we need by getting in touch with the people who have been forced or frozen out of fellowship. Maybe we can deal with the unkind or thoughtless things that have been said or done by our church families
We have the authority to forgive sins! So let’s start with seeking forgiveness.
Amen, Lord have mercy
Rev Donna Dodson
Norfolk Broads Methodist Circuit/based at Magdalen Way
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