I hardly know anything about the situation with the Colemans, and I do not intend to downplay anyone’s suffering in the great tragedy faced by many farmers. But it seems to me that, in the face of so much hatred and blame-casting in our nation today, the best and most Christian thing a person could do in any dispute is to offer his forgiveness.
After all, what is it that we pray in church? “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” What is it that we tell each other, especially at this merry time of the year? “God so loved the world that he gave his only son.” And did God give us his son for judgment or for mercy? “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Does it? Are we bearing that out in our lives together in this great nation?
I see Republicans blaming Democrats for the ills of society; I see Democrats blaming Republicans for the same; I see Black people blaming white people for their sufferings; I see white people blaming Black people for their failures. Undoubtedly, there is always blame to cast; undoubtedly, many people and many groups of people have committed great sins. So then, what do we do about it?
There are only two options, as far as I can tell. We can either decide to destroy each other, or we can decide to forgive each other. What did Jesus do? “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” I think that if God can forgive us all our great sins, then we can forgive each other when we fail or offend. If we all are in need of such great mercy, then how can we deny it to others? This does not mean that justice should not be done when wrongs are committed: a man must pay his debts. But in the paying of them, let us not add evil to tragedy. For it is possible, even if it is difficult, to demand justice of someone and to love him at the same time.
What would happen if we all decided to show love and mercy, here in Greenwood and all throughout our beautiful nation, even throughout the world? There is only one way to find out.
- Luke K. Quinn is the pulpit minister for the West President Avenue Church of Christ in Greenwood.
