If you haven't read the article penned by me entitled, What is the HARDEST sin to forgive?, please read it before you read this article. This article you are now reading is rather lengthy because I try to address many of the "objections" people had to this article. If you don't see your "questions" answered at the beginning they probably will be addressed before the end of the article. If not, I welcome your questions via verado@aol.com or snail mail.

The responses that came in about the article were really no surprise to me . Some people loved it. One person called it a breath of fresh air. Some seemed to think the devil himself wrote it. How can there be such a varied and diverse response to a bunch of words on paper? Read on if you are really interested in answering that question.

Thoughts and Emotions

There is a profound relationship between thought and emotion. Most people seem unaware of that relationship. Put simply; thoughts produce emotions. However, people tend to think that another person's words or actions cause their emotions. Though widely believed, it simply is not true. It is the "goodness or evilness" that we attribute to what is going on around that produces our emotions. Therefore we cause our emotional response in a given situation. It is our thinking about our experiences that causes us to emote. The divergent responses to the article proved that point. If the article "caused" people to be angry or whatever, how come some people "loved" it? How come there were so many different responses to the same article?

Actually, the article reflected the point of view or belief system of the reader (his tree). It was a mirror. Essentially, those that were extremely critical of completely forgiving the priest probably have a number of unforgiven people in their life. Those that were "enraged" at the article, probably enrage themselves over many things in their life. That's their normal way of dealing with things they don't like or understand. They "probably" collect injustices. If you "went off" after reading the article, you might do well to compare your philosophy of life to the Sermon on the Mount. If you are self-righteous, demanding and don't understand the human plight, it would only follow that you would be angry and disagree with the article.

The Pharisees thought Jesus shouldn't have healed on the Sabbath, shouldn't have let His disciples get away with not ceremonially washing their hands, shouldn't have picked food on the Sabbath, shouldn't have forgiven sin, and shouldn't have said He was the Son of God! The Pharisees had the "shoulds" badly. So, if you think I shouldn't have written the article you may be a Pharisee. Wouldn't you want to know if you were so you could repent?

How do you treat your enemies?

I have known for some time (since my Job like experience) that one might do well to observe how people treat their enemies. If people have nothing kind or forgiving to say about people they disagree with then look out--especially if you are considering them for a friendship. Sooner or later you are going to cross them--if only by virtue of the fact that you are human (a fallible flawed person). When you do, they are going to treat you exactly like they treat their enemies. Because, when you cross them, (which is to do or say something they think you shouldn't) you will be their enemy. Because they are "right" and "perfect in all their ways" they do not handle dealing with imperfect people (mankind) very well. While it may be a nice platitude, agreeing to disagree doesn't work with them. When you disagree with them, you will be as bad a person as you once were good.

Look at divorce. People that once believed they could not live without each other can't stand each other. They often hate each other with a level of hatred that is frightening. They don't seem to have a clue as to what went wrong in their relationship--why they can't get along. Unfortunately they are too self-righteous to "see" themselves accurately. Self-righteous people make poor partners. They have "great expectations" of their partners which will never be met. Their "unrealistic demands" guarantee that they will forever make themselves frustrated in any relationship they endeavor. They are looking for a person that doesn't exist--a perfect one. Self-righteous people tend to view things in black and white extremes. However, there are 16 million colors between black and white.

Where does hatred come from?

Hatred and unforgiveness is the result of poor thought management. Just as a volcano only erupts because of all the hot lava underneath it, hatred and unforgiveness only comes out of a mind that that creates it. We are naive to think it is situation specific. It is much more general than that. What triggers and eruption is not really the issue. It's the fact that people create it in their minds. Hatred and unforgiveness only surfaces because it is there.

Essentially human disturbance amounts to whining. God called it murmuring in the Old Testament. When Jesus was on the cross, He never whined about it! It was not him to whine and complain. Jesus did not hate anyone because there is no hate in Him. How can anyone be nasty and mean if they don't cultivate thinking that way? It's not the experience but our "view" of it that cause our emotions.

Some people whined about the article. One person wrote and told me that he thought I was a tool of the devil and loved being used by him. That's an intense thing to say to another person--especially a fellow Christian. It is also an interesting view into the mind that wrote it.

I use the term "Christian Hatred" to describe the indulgence that some Christians give themselves. They think it allows them to be rude, nasty, mean and unforgiving. They can justify "killing" you while thinking they do God a service. There is a lot of "Christian Hatred" in this world. These people think they are Christian but there is no "Christian fruit" on their tree.

Is one human "better" than another??

If we know we are a sinner, we can repent and change. When some people read the article, they immediately thought they were much better people than the priest. They climbed into their "ivory" tower and looked down their noses at the priest and me for so cavalierly forgiving him. When we don't think we have anything to repent of, we can condemn others easily. A person aware of his own predicament as a sinner will usually not attack another sinner as viciously as some of my readers did. People that realize their own fallibility tend to be tolerant, understanding and forgiving of the other guys plight. They realize that they are no better than anyone else. They think to themselves: Let he who is without sin throw the first stone. Usually it won't be them.

Abraham and Satan's Attitude

Christ told the Pharisees not to say that they had Abraham as their father. Why? Because, Abraham would not have been as "nasty" to Him as they were. Abraham would have recognized his Creator. He respected and admired Him.

A lot of people haven't figured out that God was being a bit facetious when He said about Satan that "Thou sealest up the sum. Perfect in all your ways." Some think that He was giving Satan a compliment. But when Jesus was being baptized, did God say that about Him? Do we think God thinks more of Satan than HE did of His son? Of course not. Jesus has a different attitude than Satan. Satan is a know it all--that's what God was saying. God aptly describes a self-righteous being that can't be reasoned with. Satan is described as being "sealed" (rigid) because no amount or reasoning could penetrate his thick skull. Satan didn't realize what Job's problem was because he had the same problem. Satan thinks he is "right!" That means he is more righteous than God!

Many people that wrote me think they are more righteous than I am. They do not see me as their equal or their brother. Here's what I think of you and them. You are my brother and I care about you. I know we are equals. I know God loves you. He created all people and He loves all of us! I know HE would be all over me like white on rice if I had a nasty patronizing attitude towards His greatest creation--you. As I have said before, I am more concerned about what I think of you than what you think of me.

A lot of "good" people think they would never do what the priest did. But, before the cock crows three times they will have done worse--deny Christ by disobeying a direct request of His--to forgive.

The article was about forgiveness and reconciliation. It was not about a "pedophile priest." Some people decided to re-name the article because they wanted to emphasize the sin that was being forgiven. They think sex sins are "horrible." To them the boys were saints and the priest was evil (an extreme). I appreciate the innocence of youth. However, my experience as a teacher for the last 17 years tells me that some of these little "Lord Font LeRoys" aren't as "divine" as people tend to think. In K-12 level of school, the biggest problem is discipline--trying to keep order in the classroom. Why? Because parents think their kids are perfect little reproductions of themselves (they probably are) and above correction and reproach. If the teacher tells them to be quiet, they respond by being even more disruptive. The parents do not discipline their children. Because of that the children do not discipline themselves. The Bible says foolishness is in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it out. If a student thinks He doesn't have to respect himself enough to sit quietly and learn, there is little that teacher can do (unless he or she wants to be sued). I am thankful my parents taught me to respect my elders. If my teacher had told my mom or dad that I acted up in the class room, I would have got what for. My parents required me to respect my teachers. In doing that they taught me to respect myself so that I could learn. They believed the teacher was doing them and me a favor by teaching me. They wanted me to realize that. So they respected the teacher. As their son they insisted that I respected the teacher too. Believe me, that's not the way it is today. Today we blame the teacher because the students will not discipline themselves enough to sit still and learn.

Sin is sin. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we realize that, we won't be throwing stones at anyone. Actually, the article could have been a about forgiving anyone and any wrong experience.

War is Obscene

Personally, I think war is about as obscene as can be. I have talked to people that were in W.W.II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. I could paint you graphic depictions of severed heads, exploded body parts, and entrails--not to mention the horrible smell and the sheer terror for those involved in it. And yet , no one takes our military leaders to task for training our young people to be professional killers. Talk about molestation. I have seen many Vietnam Veterans living on the streets, begging for money, and not being able to fit into mainstream society. War "messed with their mind." Something is not quite "right" in their head.

A student of mine recently told me that his lab partner informed him that he had been in Desert Storm. He told him that once and a while "I'll go off." What that meant I don't know. And I hope he doesn't "go off" in my class.. I knew the young man seemed troubled. While serving his time, a fellow soldier screamed out that he just couldn't take it anymore, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. His head exploded. Here was a young man in his prime that was psychologically molested by the army-the corporals, and sergeants--not to mention the generals. He was "forced" to go against everything he had been taught about God, and right and wrong to become a "good" soldier--a professional killer. No wonder he snapped. It was a classic battle between good and evil. The Bible says in the Kingdom of God they will not "learn war" anymore.

My student's lab partner was ordered to clean up the "mess." That "mess" was once someone's son. How many parents have gotten a visit from a man in a finely pressed uniform only to told that one of their loved ones was dead?. The slick ads in the magazines don't quite accurately represent the real image of what the military is all about. As one talk show host says; "The military exists to kill and break things." Do we hold military leaders accountable what they have done to our children--our young men and women? They take our gullible naive young people and take away their innocence by putting them in a training program that teaches them to kill! And then they "go to war"--the most undesirable of any situation. Are our leaders responsible? Do we to take them to court and sue them for what they have done? do they spend time in jail? No, we honor them as "great" leaders. We rationalize their wrongs as necessary and condemn the priest to prison for doing something that by comparison is like a picnic on Sunday afternoon. We strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. Where are all the self-righteous sanctimonious religious vigilantes when it comes to what the military is doing?

Give me a break! Many people that say they believe in God deny His power. They "think" there is a "need" for a military. They don't believe God would protect our country from our enemies if we obeyed Him and put total trust in Him. Inferred: "You can't really trust God," Jesus was right when He said that we can justify our every inconsistency. God said in the book of Samuel what it would be like if we wanted a king over us. Some believe the military guarantees our freedoms. Not me! I think God does. I trust God!

Abraham is called the father of the faithful. He was asked by God to sacrifice his son. That's a pretty big request. Of course, in the end, God did not let Abraham kill his son. But, is there any doubt that Abraham would have? All God asks us to do is take our nasty hateful nature to the alter and put it to death--sacrifice it. Our false philosophy of life has served its purpose and it is time to destroy it. That's what He wants us to do.

The priest and the boys

In the case of the priest, we are asked to forgive someone and help him if we know how. In the case of the boys who were molested (now men) we are asked to show them how to forgive. To do that they have to "sacrifice" the desire for revenge and let go of the injustice that was done to them. It seems a reasonable request. And yet people came up with all kinds of excuses why they could not honor that simple request by their Creator. The bottom line is that some of us do not respect God and His Son enough to honor their requests! Abraham made no excuses. He simply did what God asked him to do. I try to follow his example as well as teach it to others. That's what my articles are about--total respect for God and His Son (and then you and me).

Violation of Matthew 18 principles

Some of the people that did not like the article "went over my head" to try and get what they termed an "offensive" article removed from the net. They might have done well to go all the way to the top (God). Instead they did what was right in their own eyes. They took to themselves "the knowledge of good and evil." They decided the article was totally evil. They stopped short of God and went to men. They realized that God probably wouldn't have responded as harshly as they wanted. So, they went to someone they thought would. They chose not to come to me as Matthew 18 says. I forgave them for what they did. (even thought they did not ask). The last thing I need to do is not practice what I preach. Why should I be upset with them when they don't know any better? They haven't figured out that their sin was against God. He is the one that asked them to forgive--not me. When they were informed that they were suppose to go to their brother, they became defensive and "nasty." They made all kinds of excuses why they couldn't do Matthew 18. Someone even threatened to take the article to the local police department and let them read it to try to get me in trouble with them. Isn't that what the religious leaders did to Christ? The Pharisees demanded their own way. Modern Pharisees are no different. I wonder how they could have been more carnal? It is one thing to disagree with a person, it's another thing to think you are the "thought police." They would have had no trouble turning me in to the "authorities" to do their "dirty work!" Scary.

Jesus' Sacrifice is not enough?

The article reflected the fact that some people think more of sex than they do of Jesus' sacrifice. Yes it is an ugly reflection to gaze upon. It is understandable that some people did not like what they saw. However, instead of repenting and changing, they wanted to break the mirror (blame the article). They think it is the mirrors fault that they choose to be ugly, nasty, unforgiving, disrespectful, unkind, mean spirited and "respect" (even though negatively) sex more than God. They have the problem--not the article. The article can't "offend" because it does not have magical powers. All it is a bunch of words on paper that we have to give meaning to in our mind. That's where the problem is in our minds.

There is no logical reason that the three men and the priest should not forgive each other. Satan doesn't want them to realize that. It is not what the three lads went though but how they chose to "view" their experience that causes their emotional turmoil. They attributed to much "evil" to "what they went through. I was molested. I am over it. And I don't go around molesting other people despite what some people's "sick" minds have concluded. The article was not autobiographical! I could even give the person that molested me a hug and be happy to see them. I am no different than the three lads. I am just as human as they are. The only difference between them and me is that I look at it from a different point of view (God's hopefully). I think there are a lot worse things than being molested! War is one of them!

Forgive and Punish

People say they forgive, but they want to see the other guy get his. They want vengeance. And so they say, "I forgive but..." What a silly little game. Sorry that's not good enough! I see through it. And if I see through it, you know God does. People may fool themselves but not God. God made a deal with us If we do not forgive our brothers their trespasses, He will not forgive ours. There is nothing to debate about the previous statement. It is quite clear. Don't forgive and you won't be forgiven!. We are not forgiving when we still think the priest is guilty of something. after he has repented in dust and ashes and God has pronounced him "white as snow."

How can you tell people haven't forgiven? Because when we forgive, a relationship is re-established. Respect for the other person returns. When I forgive you and you forgive me our relationship can continue and grow. When we don't forgive we inhibit relationships. We become awkward and mechanical around people when they or we are not forgiven. Think about any time you were in an unforgiven situation. What did you think and feel about it? Wasn't it a relief when you reconciled--when you or you friend finally got around to forgiving?

People can believe what they want, but unforgiveness and hatred is what it is. As for me and my house I choose to believe Jesus' sacrifice covers any sin that He says it will! Without any unforgiven people in my mind, I think about what a big happy family we are going to be someday. I think about what a surprise it will be for people when they realize what God has in store for us.

Forgiveness clears the mind and creates peace. It feels great to love people despite their deception. I go to bed each night looking forward to meeting and helping people give up the stupid deception that Satan has them under. True, I may have to take a little rejection myself.. I can stand it. I also know there is a "bulls eye" on my back. But, God has promised He will protect me and that I will never be tempted above what I am able. So I venture on in my personal crusade to bring the truth about how we "take to ourselves the knowledge of good and evil!"

I have a figurative rubber stamp with the word "forgive" on it. I go around all day long stamping it where ever I can! It's great! I want you to have the same peace that I have. Forgiveness brings peace. It is, however, something Satan and His children do not understand.

The Bible claims that Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.. However, some apparently think that does not include sex sins. I resent the insinuation that His sacrifice is like a lousy laundry detergent that promises to make clothes white, but just doesn't live up to its expectations.

What the Priest did was WRONG . . .

It is wrong to deliberately sin. The priest sinned. Whether he did it deliberately is doubtful. He probably did what he did out of weakness. He has a Savior. If he sincerely repents and means it , God honors his request and he is forgiven. His record is cleared. How can anyone come along and "go over" God's head by not respecting God's decision? We need to put things in perspective. Thirty thousand children starved to death last night and we view a sexual inconvenience as a "horror"--even though it happened 20 years ago. Which one do you think is worse--starving to death or being molested? How enraged are we about children starving to death?

Someone said I blamed God for what happened to the two lads. Wrong. I said God could have stopped it if He wanted. Do I hold God accountable? Hardly. That would mean I think I am above Him. Wrong! I do respect Him though. And I believe what He says. He holds Himself accountable! To be all wise and all powerful means He is accountable to Himself for His actions. Since God says He runs the universe, He calls the shots. Notice in the book of Job that Satan could only do to Job what God let him. The rest of us are under the same limitations. We can only do what God allows us to do. Jesus said, "You can do nothing except my Father in heaven allows it." That's not an exaggeration!

Obviously none of us asked to come into existence. None of asked to have the particular strengths, weaknesses, or talents we have. None of us asked to be fallible, flawed and as human as we are. Since we were created by God, that's God's problem. I have asked God on many occasions to help me live a sin free life. My prayers were answered! He said, "No!" He gave me a brain and I have figured out that I do not have it in me to live the kind of "perfect" life some think I should. I have a choice. I could beat myself, and make myself depressed--all for flaws and weaknesses that I did not ask to have or can forgive myself and try to do as best I can. I know God loves me. He and I know that if He doesn't forgive me, He won't have me as a son (or anyone else either). Is it blasphemy because I understand that? I do believe in continuous improvement. But the weaknesses I haven't overcome I will worry about when God does! Until then, God says, "My grace is sufficient for you!" It's foolish to hold people and myself to unrealistic expectations of perfection. We can't be perfect because God has not given us the ability to be perfect! We can forgive though--can't we? We apparently need a lot more practice forgiving!

God Knows

God says He knows every sparrow that falls to the ground. He knows every hair on our head. If we went to the bottom of the ocean to sin , He would know it. He knows where we are at all times. He knows our inner most thoughts. God claims sovereignty. As He says in Psalm 50: "The cattle on a thousand hills are all mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you." I am not accusing God of anything. He is responsible because He is God. When you are God, you by definition are responsible. As Job finally concluded., "Now I know that nothing can be witholden thee." God claims He is the beginning and the end. If we do anything it is only because He lets us. He lets people make all kinds of stupid decisions. He does not appear to be a control freak. I suppose we haven't blown ourselves off the face of the earth because He doesn't let us. There is a purpose in letting us learn by our mistakes. He wants us to learn an important lesson--that the only way to peace is through love--loving Him and our neighbor as we love ourselves.

I love God with my whole heart. When He says to forgive, I am going to make myself do it. As far as I am concerned it's one of the easiest things we can do.

I could keep what I know to myself and have less hassle. But, I am suppose to love you like I love myself. I can't imagine permitting myself to believe Satan's lies about the cause of human disturbance. I mean someone does wrong to me and I am suppose to punish myself because of what they did wrong to me? I don't think so! It's so easy to forgive. All I have to do is say in my mind, "I forgive," compare what was said or done to me to what was done to Christ and realize my experience is much less negative than His. If He endured the cross for me, I can forgive when He says to. My afflictions are trivial compared to what Christ went through..

Self-Punishment

Essentially what is going on with the three men is that they are punishing themselves by not forgiving the priest. That's stupid. Sure they were done wrong. But, they have to decide what they are going to think about their experience. For their own good, they have attributed way to much "evil" to their experience for to long. They are disturbed today over something that happened 20 years ago. They are causing their own disturbance by exaggerating its significance. The event that triggered their emotional turmoil (their molestation) is not now going on. The only way for them to get over it is to show them how to stop telling themselves how awful, terrible and horrible what they went through was. The reason I chose to compare it to what Christ went through on the cross was to show how they have exaggerated what they went through. How much time do they spend feeling sorry for Christ? No, they are obsessed with the horrors of their own "sacrifice." What they are doing to themselves is ridiculous. If we think what Christ went through was bad--much worse by comparison to what we go though--then we can give up thinking they were tempted above what they are able. Realistically, by comparison, our negative experiences don't come close to what He went through.. He sweated blood!

I think I am responsible to exert a reasonable amount of effort to show you that you might be wrong about how you forgive. But, if you don't like my articles, don't read them. Don't waste your time. However, if you want clarification over something I wrote, I will try my best to give you a civil answer. You might do well to have a Berean attitude. But, if you do not "receive" what I write, I am just going to knock the dust of my shoes and continue on. As far as I am concerned there will be one less "nut" to concern myself with. That means less work for me. You have a Savior. It is His job to send you through whatever He thinks He has to soften you up. If you will not listen to reason, your "Job like" experience awaits you. Your blood is on your own hands. I do love you, but that does not mean I have to shove the truth down your throat. If what I do is of Satan, then I will be straightened out and all my efforts will be in vain. It will come to nothing. If it is of God you would do well to accept it and get out of the way. Maybe you might even want to help spread the truth?

Do you remember the story about the rich young ruler that came to Jesus and asked Him what he (the young ruler) must do to get eternal life? Jesus told Him to keep the commandments. The young man answered back that he had done that. Jesus then said, "Come and follow me." Jesus was offering the young man a personal relationship wish Him (Jesus). A good relationship is more important to God than eternal life. God wants an enjoyable personal relationship with us that will last forever.

Unfortunately, there are some people that think God is unable to convert the human mind. They think, "Once a pervert always a pervert." I do not have enough courage to think that way about God's ability to convert the mind. In the past I might have but, I know better now. God can do anything He wills to do! e He can make a rock into a human! What can He not do?

I used to think God might be exaggerating when He wondered if He would find faith on the earth when He came back. Now I wonder the same myself.

Some people will do anything to get eternal life. They will even obey God. But they are only obeying to "get" eternal life. The goal God has for us is to think just like Him. Many, like the young ruler, miss that point. We are a hirelings if we do not love people out of our own heart--not because we are going to get paid to do it. If we think God has to give us eternal life for us to love and forgive, we have grossly missed the point. He wants us to be compassionate, kind, and merciful because that is the way we think ---- not because we are getting paid to do it.

Angry Christians

Maybe some of you reading this article can identify with the following statements: Have you ever noticed how angry some Christians seem to be at their fellow man? Have you seen them get on the "band wagon" and hate a group of people because they think they should? Have you ever noticed the slightly rancid nasty attitude that some Christians have towards people that don't live up their specifications? Some Christians seem to be raised on vinegar and weaned on lemon juice. I don't know about you, but I do not want to be around mean, nasty, hateful people--even if they say they are Christian. Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them.

I realize that I could be wrong to write about forgiveness., mercy and kindness as if they were all important concepts. So, I told God that if that "I am more righteous than you" snotty attitude is what the Kingdom is all about, I will take the death penalty. I would feel out of place among such "good" people. I'd rather have a quality life more than a quantity. I can identify with what Patrick Henry said: "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Some people decided they would "critique" the article as they said. They became the authority on what is right and what is wrong (just like a true Pharisee). They climbed up the stairs in their "ivory" tower and began to pontificate. I no longer was their equal and brother but an arrogant evil so and so that needed to be put in his place by them. Truthfully, I was very amused at this. I have done the same myself. I try not to do it now. What then ensued was a diatribe of what was wrong with the article. What came across to me was a bunch of "emotional reasoning." Instead of intelligent articulate logic they took to themselves the knowledge of good and evil. They "personified" the article and said "it" offended them. That is the essence of what idolatry is all about--blaming an external force for what we choose to do or think. The article doesn't have any magical powers. Each reader evaluated it from his or her pre-conceived point of view (his tree). Guess what I concluded from what they said? Forgiveness, when it is complete and renders the sinner white as snow is "evil." Well, they disagree with God on that one!

Aren't you glad the mirror was there to look into and see all the dirt on your face? Maybe you might want to apply the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and wash it all away. Presto chango! Now your face is clean. It's such a beautiful face with out all that dirt on it!

One person said that the priest could have done more. According to that person's thinking there were holes in my article big enough to drive a truck through. Look at Pharaoh with his decision to kill the first born of Israel. Out of his own mouth he pronounced his own sentence. What he feared greatest came to pass. Let's see if that is true in this instance. Time travel is not readily available to most of us. To say that the priest could have done more is a major deception and lie. Now that is a "big hole" if it is true. Think about it. Satan introduced the lie in the garden of good and evil. A lie is saying something should or is different than what it really is. Think!! If we say people should not do what they did, then we are lying aren't we? The priest did what he did. He exercised his free moral agency. He couldn't have done more than he did because of the deception he functioned under at that time. He was limited to what he did by what he was thinking at the time he did what he did. Furthermore, he couldn't have done anything more or less than what he did because it is now history. History is the evidence that he did indeed do what he did. Since time travel doesn't seem possible, there is no way he or we can go back in time and change what took place. When we insist that things be different than what they have become, we are lying to ourselves by denying reality. Insanity by definition is denying reality. We are also mocking God. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." The effect exists. There must have been a cause. He couldn't have acted any other way than he did because he acted the way he did! Clearly what should happen does happen. He was a free moral agent and he chose do a wrong. Deceived people behave as befits their deception.

The way to deal with things done wrong in the past is not to lie to ourselves and "spin" our wheels on mission impossible. It is futile to try and undo what happened (without a time travel machine). What we can do is educate ourselves and others on how not to do the wrong again. Forgiveness is how we reconcile the past with the present. If we don't forgive, we will just endlessly keep repeating to ourselves the lie that what happened shouldn't have( a lie). Now that's insane. It's also a waste of time. It won't change what happened. Things can't be the way they are and some other way at the same time! We have all kinds of cliches that note this. It's spilled milk. It's water under the bridge. You can't have your cake and eat it too etc.

The Bottom Line

So what's the bottom line? We need to think like Jesus. Adam took to himself the "knowledge of good and evil." Jesus never took to himself the "knowledge of good and evil." He looked at things from His Father's point of view. Apparently God and He planned how they would deal with Jesus' experience on this earth before He got here. If Jesus was molested what would He do? Answer: He was molested. Did He once deny reality by saying that He shouldn't have had to die on the cross? Think about it. Jesus never denied reality. Instead, He forgave. I think it's a good idea to follow His example, don't you?