Cell 1141B

There in the county jailhouse of Charleston, South Carolina, a Twenty-one-year-old man sits as he is waiting his hearing for the killing of 9 members of the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal church. Dylann Roof sat for one hour next to the minister who graciously invited him to sit next to him as the small group studied the Bible together. He had plans to shoot the group. We know that he was on medication; we know that he had issues concerning racism, and we know that he was troubled. However, the untold story is what happened as Dylann Roof was about to enter Cell 1141B.

Members of the families who perished at his hands, came to Dylann. They approached him because they had a message for the young man. They felt that it was imperative that they deliver a message from the church to him, a message from the families to him. One by one they spoke to Dylann. But there were no words of hate; there were no words of vengeance. There were no words of judgment and wrath. No words of hell and eternal death. However, they spoke to him of forgiveness.
Here are some of the very words that were stated. “I will never be able to hold her again, but I forgive you,” a daughter of Ethel Lance said. “And have mercy on your soul. You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people but God forgives you, and I forgive you.” Another dear saint Felicia Sanders, the mother of victim Tywanza Sanders said, “every fiber in my body hurts, and I will never be the same. As we said in the Bible study, we enjoyed you,” she said to Roof. “But may God have mercy on you.” One of the men of the church told Dylan that he needs to repent, confess, and give his life to the Lord. One by one, they told Dylann, “I forgive you”.

Incredible! Each one spoke to this young man. With tears running down their cheeks, with words gasping from their lips, with trembling hands as they tried to steady their hearts. One by one, they told Dylann “I forgive you”. As the world looked at them, many began to say to themselves, how could these people forgive the very man who took their loved ones from them. How could these Christians forgive? It makes no sense! They are correct. It makes no sense! However, to a Christian, it makes absolute sense.

I know as a Christian, part of our human nature is to hurt back, slash back, strike back, and assault back. Yet, by the grace of God, in the midst of pain, we are able to somehow forgive. The power of Christ to forgive another can’t be explained, it can’t be quantified, it can’t be rationalized, it can only be told through the eyes of tears, and through the heart of pain. The Bible gives these words of how to treat someone that hurts you. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

The road to forgiveness and to forgiving others is not easy. In fact it is one of the most difficult roads to walk on. Each step is a battle for the heart and soul. Each step brings passion and despair. Each step reminds us of what Christ has required of us. Each steps reminds us of what Christ has done for us, and for those who have hurt us. Each step is a battle that carries a drum roll for combat. Each step also carries a trumpet that reminds us that Christ is coming again. We have a Savior who has forgiven and asks us to do the same. Forgiving is one of the greatest battles against human nature. Yet, Christ asks us to bear the cross with Him and proclaim, “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” What these precious Christians said to Dylann is a miracle. Here are some insights on forgiveness.

“The lessons which Christ has given us are to be studied and incorporated into our religious life every day. If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. When the believer, in view of all his transgressions, exercises faith in God, believes that he is pardoned because Christ has died as his sacrifice, he will be so filled with gratitude to God that his tender sympathy will be reaching out to those who, like himself, have sinned and have need of pardon. Pride will find no place in his heart. Such faith as this will be a deathblow to a revengeful spirit. How is it possible for one who finds forgiveness, and who is daily dependent upon the grace of Christ, to turn away in coldness from those who have been overtaken in a fault, and to display to the sinner an unforgiving spirit? Everyone who has real faith in God will crush pride under his feet.” {15MR 198}

May God bless us this Sabbath, as we forgive those who trespass against us

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor