21Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Peter was looking for an out, Jesus used the opportunity to teach all of us about not holding back in the area of forgiveness. Unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment - these can all restrict us in living an abundant life. If we allow instances of where we have been wronged, either perceived or actual, to fester in our imaginations, if we replay those times of unpleasantness over and over in our minds, we can short-circuit ourselves from experiences God's love and peace. And, the enemy of our souls would want us to continue to run that loop - an act of our will to extend forgiveness and to reject bitterness, infused with the power of the Holy Spirit, can set us free to live the life God wants for us.
The Bible gives us this word of exhortation in Hebrews chapter 12:
14Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:15looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Late last month, an MSNBC panel used a photo of the Mitt Romney family, including their adopted black grandson, Kieran Romney, to move into a discussion about what they apparently perceived as the Republican Party’s supposed “diversity” problems. Host Melissa Harris-Perry apologized later on Twitter and has since issued an on-air apology. The Blaze reports that the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Presidential candidate has said he would like to move on from the controversy.
On Fox News Sunday this past weekend, Romney said, “Look, I’ve made plenty of mistakes myself... They’ve apologized for this. You know, I think we can go on from there.”
Host Chris Wallace attempted to press him further, but Romney held firm and again noted that Harris-Perry has apologized.
He said: “Well, you know, I think people recognize and the folks at MSNBC have apologized — recognize people like me are fair targets...If you get in the political game, you can expect incoming. But children, you know, that’s beyond the line and I think they understand that and feel that as well. I think it’s a heartfelt apology. I think for that reason, we hold no ill will whatsoever.”
He also said, “We’re just glad to get back to work, A&E and us are fine...The Robertsons, we are looking forward to getting back to making some funny shows and it’s a new year, so we are ready to break in a new year and start it all over again.” Phil Robertson has been reinstated to the show.
Late last month, an MSNBC panel used a photo of the Mitt Romney family, including their adopted black grandson, Kieran Romney, to move into a discussion about what they apparently perceived as the Republican Party’s supposed “diversity” problems. Host Melissa Harris-Perry apologized later on Twitter and has since issued an on-air apology. The Blaze reports that the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Presidential candidate has said he would like to move on from the controversy.
On Fox News Sunday this past weekend, Romney said, “Look, I’ve made plenty of mistakes myself... They’ve apologized for this. You know, I think we can go on from there.”
Host Chris Wallace attempted to press him further, but Romney held firm and again noted that Harris-Perry has apologized.
He said: “Well, you know, I think people recognize and the folks at MSNBC have apologized — recognize people like me are fair targets...If you get in the political game, you can expect incoming. But children, you know, that’s beyond the line and I think they understand that and feel that as well. I think it’s a heartfelt apology. I think for that reason, we hold no ill will whatsoever.”
Harris-Perry had faced strong criticism for the mocking tone and content of the discussion and her apology included these words: “Without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family...Adults who enter into public life implicitly consent to having less privacy. But their families, and especially their children, should not be treated callously or thoughtlessly. My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground-rule that families are off-limits. And for that I am sorry.”
Mitt Romney says, "I think we can go on from there". He didn't pile on, didn't go after the MSNBC host, he basically provided a template for accepting an apology and extending forgiveness - Bravo, Mr. Romney.
This reminds me of some comments I heard last week from Allen and Korie Robertson. Fox411 reports that in an interview on the Fox News New Year's Eve show, Allen made these comments regarding the controversy over his father's comments on homosexuality, which resulted in his suspension from the show, "Duck Dynasty":
“You know we are ready to move on...I think we all learned a lot and we are just ready to move on and the family is happy and we are ready to go.”
“You know we are ready to move on...I think we all learned a lot and we are just ready to move on and the family is happy and we are ready to go.”
He also said, “We’re just glad to get back to work, A&E and us are fine...The Robertsons, we are looking forward to getting back to making some funny shows and it’s a new year, so we are ready to break in a new year and start it all over again.” Phil Robertson has been reinstated to the show.
These two instances, I think, can challenge us about the nature of moving on. There is a human tendency to hold on when offended, to harbor bitter feelings toward a person who has said or done something to offend or wound us. Resentment can weigh us down and sap our joy and strength. So, instead of holding on, Romney and Robertson are moving on. And, because the offended parties went public and demonstrated their willingness to forgive, the media has now moved on.
That's not to say that lessons can't be learned. Melissa Harris-Perry admitted she had broken a ground rule in going after a family - well said. And, I'm sure that Phil Robertson may have learned a thing or two about carefully weighing words before they are spoken - He spoke Biblical truth, but perhaps contextually, there would have been a better way to say what he said. Perhaps that's what Allen was referring to when he said that they had learned a lot.
You certainly don't want to gloss over a confrontation or to just party on when there is conflict. There may be a call to make things right face-to-face - you may have to go to another person and ask for forgiveness, or in the course of a discussion, you may have to state that you have forgiven and are ready to move on. But, you don't just callously ignore a situation and not think through how you could have responded better. But, to wallow in bitterness is not the answer - You learn your lessons, let go of the bitterness, and you truly extend forgiveness, which frees us up, as well as the person who may have offended us.
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