Book Review: Forgiveness

 

"Vengeance is popular today; forgiveness is not. Retaliation is often portrayed as a virtue reflecting a healthy self-esteem. It is heralded as an inalienable right of personal freedom. Vengeance is evidence of macho strength."  Says John MacArthur. These are the opening words of this ground breaking work on one of the Godly virtues which all Christian must, without any doubt exhibit. Think of the words that both our Lord and his most regarded Apostle tells: "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  (Matt. 5: 14-15;   Col. 2:13; 3:13) .  How can someone go through life with fractured relationships when it just shows that they untrustworthy to all people around them? 

This work is an important one as it gives us the basis for Christian fellowship and unity-- it all comes down to us being forgiven of our sins; and redeemed and reconciled back to God Himself. Each chapter has something significant to teach us about forgiveness;  what it is? What it means? how it is accomplished in the Christian faith? And how it is to applied to the lives of all Christians?  One of the stand out chapters can be understood as to the component points that MacArthur offers us-- he says forgiveness: (1) deflects pride.  (2) shows mercy. (3) restores joy. (4) affirms love. (5) proves obedience. (6) revitalises fellowship. (7) thwarts Satan.   This whole chapter is significant because it reveals to us how foundational forgiveness is to a healthy Christian society; but also it shows how the normal society can thrive on this principle. 

It can be stressed enough that at the heart of this book on forgiveness lies a most important truth-- And that is the reality of reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ.  "Reconciliation", says John MacArthur in so few words:  "to God presupposes complete forgiveness. So our theme of forgiveness is very much at the heart of this passage (2 Cor. 5:18-21).

I would recommend this book for such an important and timely subject. 


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