As we come to this Table, we are coming to the Table of the only true Victim. Only Jesus was entirely innocent, only Jesus had an absolute right to complain—which is why He didn’t.
We can certainly harm one another. We can certainly bite and devour, and betray one another. There are many tragic tales in this world, and there have been many tears. But whenever we are wronged by others, remember that we are sinners too, and we will always be tempted to “work it.” There are those of us who play at being the victim. There are those of us who were truly wronged, but who then inflate the wrong for the sake of our own pride. All responses that don’t involve turning to Jesus with it are responses that seek to turn the wrongs of others against us into “our precious.”
But the way out is not simply to “stop it.” The Eagles told us to “get over it,” but however good that counsel might be, it is not something we are capable of doing. The only way out of nursing our own victimhood is to turn to Jesus, the only true Victim, who will put it all right. He will do this by forgiving our sins, and by giving us forgiveness for those who have wronged us.
This is what the Christian faith is all about. This is what the covenant of grace entails. This is the heart of the new covenant—their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Heb. 8:12). There are only two ways—the way of forgiveness which leads to Heaven, and the way of tangled recriminations, which leads every accuser straight to Hell.
Forgiveness does not whitewash sin, or turn it into a trifle. Sin is why the beloved Son of God died, under the fury of God the Father. Do you really want to say that You believe that God’s response to sin was inadequate? And that You think He should have been tougher? Sin is a liar, and so if you choose this way of recrimination, you will simply multiply the kind of sin you say you oppose, and you will bequeath that terrible legacy to your children.
But we are convinced of better things in your case. You have forgiven one another. So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.
I’ve been tossed off a couple of blogs for quoting “Get over It” from the Eagles. Great songs – BTW. * It’s like going to confession every time I hear you speak You’re makin’ the most of your losin’ streak Some call it sick, but I call it weak You drag it around like a ball and chain You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown Got your mind in the gutter, bringin’ everybody down Complain about the present and blame it on the past I’d… Read more »
Your continual attempt to place blame on Lourdes Torres-Manteufel, either directly or implicitly, as in this post, is vile. You make it very, very clear why women are not safe in patriarchal institutions or around men with patriarchal worldviews. You and your brethren have failed miserably and indefensibly to provide any kind of worldview or church culture where women are genuinely safe and respected. Instead, you currently contribute directly to creating dangerous environments for women, children and the vulnerable. I cannot imagine any of the many respectable, decent men I have known, religious and nonreligious, who would be able to… Read more »