Forgiveness - Part 1

John MacArthur sent out a letter recently dealing with forgiveness. I'd like to quote from it over a period of several days, beginning today:

"We have all been exposed to the latest in a long line of athletes, politicians, and celebrities who've been caught up in scandal and used broadcast media to make a public appeal for forgiveness.

"It's a pattern we see to often that public apologies have become cliche'. Whether televised live, pre-taped, or released through the press in writing, a tearful statement of regret or apology is now one of the necessary steps to putting out the fires of scandal and repairing a public image.

"But what does it really mean to ask in such an impersonal way for forgiveness from an audience of millions? How does a nationwide--or sometimes worldwide--audience show 'forgiveness' to a public figure? More important, is such a broad generic appeal for forgiveness really anything more than just a shrewd public relations maneuver?

"Consider the usuall substance of those public apologies: there's often some talk about betraying family values, losing sight of what really matters, and 'hurting.' While you may get a vague impression that the person at the center of the scandal is sorry for what he or she did, you almost never hear the words sin or repent. You will hear the word forgive repeatedly. [Note: words in bold were underlined in the original letter]

"And what kind of forgiveness are they looking for? We weren't the ones sinned against--we're simply bystanders. In the absence of any real, personal relationship, the forgiveness most of those shamed athletes, celebrities, and politicians want is more about perception--it's an appeal to you and me to not have a low opinion of them. That kind of clemency isn't demonstrated in restored relationships, but rather by standing ovations, ticket sales, and votes. It's a pragmatic appeal--they don't want to lose you as a customer or constituent."

More next time....