I'm reading this book called The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes by James L. Ferrell. My friend, Ann, let me borrow it to read. In this book, the story of these two characters talk about how Abigail (in 1 Samuel Chapter 25) is a Type of Christ. I quote from the book the conversation between Abigail and David (future king of Israel):
"Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be."A few things to point out that the characters pointed out.
"Upon you be what iniquity, woman?"
"Please my lord, I saw not the young men you sent to Nabal, my husband. But see, I have provided. Please accept of my offering, that this hsall be no grief unto thee."
Abigail --> Type of Christ
Nabal --> 1st Sinner
David & his men --> victims who were sinned against, 2nd sinner by failing to forgive.
When we feel we have been wronged it is important to remember that Christ is at our door wanting to take upon the sins and burdens placed against or on us. He wants to make up for the "burdens those sins are placing upon [us], or at the very least would include the blessing of having those burdens made light."
Jesus took upon him all the sins of the world. When we feel wronged by someone, Jesus is pleading for us to place the sin upon Him instead of the actual sinner and then also asking us to forgive the sin.
Upon me let this iniquity be. Let me deal with it if there is any dealing to be done. But you, my dear son or dear daughter, let it go. Let me take it, as I already have done. Forgive.So the real question is how does one let go of any hard feelings or enmity and truly forgive?
2 comments:
I posted this 1/3 way through the book. As I later read, the answer comes with having that broken heart and a contrite spirit. There's more to it than that, but I would still love to hear your thoughts on it.
I like your site. Thank you for it. My experience is that when I have a bright hope in Christ (meaning a bright hope for the future, which is possible by a combination of Christ's interventions and my obedience, it has been much easier to forgive because in that hope I feel unharmed. Oh sure - an inconvenience may have crossed my path but nothing worthy of my thoughts (i.e., nothing worthy of a grudge).
But then, sometimes when I've thought to put myself in that hopefull frame of mind, I've been unable to get an "automatic" forgiving of others. Then I've needed to be willing to do it a different way. Two helpful doctrines: "it shall all be for they experience and be for thy good" (conditional on accepting the problems properly), and "if I forgive I'll be forgiven and if I don't I won't."
I don't recall reading the book but it sounds worthy of a good read.
Thanks again for your site.
Nathan
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