Love Over Hate

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” - Matthew 18:21-22

On Sunday, we focused on forgiveness with reference to Matthew 6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (1963) in his “Love in Action” sermon reminds us of Jesus and Peter, that ultimately “there is no limit to forgiveness” (p.35), and further describes:

In other words, forgiveness is not a matter of quantity, but of quality. A man cannot forgive up to four hundred and ninety times without forgiveness becoming a part of the habit structure of his being.Forgiveness is not an occasional act; It is a permanent attitude (p. 35). 

An attitude to sustain. One of humility and lovingkindness. When we forgive, we allow God to work in our lives. And sadly, the systems that govern our lives are persistently more unforgiving than not. As described in Sunday’s sermon, when debts are forgiven systems break.

MLK Jr. (1963) further describes this slowness to forgive:

Society must have its standards, norms, and mores. It must have its legal checks and judicial restraints. Those who fall below the standard and those who disobey the laws are often left in the dark abyss of condemnation and have no hope for a second chance. Ask an innocent young lady, who, after a moment of overriding passion, becomes the mother of an illegitimate child. She will tell you that society is slow to forgive. Ask a public official, who, in a moment’s carelessness, betrays the public trust. He will tell you society is slow to forgive. Go to any prison and ask the inhabitants, who have written shameful lines across the pages of their lives. From behind the bars they will tell you that society is slow to forgive. Make your way to death row and speak with the tragic victims of criminality. As they prepare to make their pathetic walk to the electric chair, their hopeless cry is that society will not forgive. Capital punishment is society’s final assertion that it will not forgive (p. 36).

MLK (1963) reminds of this too when he continues describing how history is enveloped with the “wreckage of nations and individuals” that continue this “turbulent” path of revenge (p.36-37), but there is hope through what Jesus taught us:

Jesus eloquently affirmed from the cross a higher law. He knew that the old eye-for-an-eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love… …but ever again and again this noble lesson of Calvary will be a nagging reminder that only goodness can drive out evil and only love can conquer hate (p.37).

Where might we use goodness to drive out evil and love to conquer hate? In what ways may we be a beacon of hope for a more forgiving society?

M.L.K. (2017). A Gift of Love: Sermons from Strength to Love. United Kingdom: Penguin Books Limited.