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There is no victim in forgiveness
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Forgiveness does not create victims.
The Christ taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. He taught that we should turn the other cheek if struck by someone. He taught that if our brother sins against us we forgive him, even if it happens 70 x 7 times. He was pretty clear on the matter of forgiveness. And yet, even with these statements from the Christ, there are many who view this approach as unacceptable. At what point, some ask, does one stop being a victim and stand up for oneself?
When it comes to forgiveness, there is no such thing as being a victim. Being a victim implies that something has happened that is beyond one's control. When one looks at the definition of the word “victim”, one finds the following:
- One who has been tricked or swindled; duped
- One who is harmed or killed by accident, disaster or during the commission of a crime
- An unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
- One who is harmed or killed by another
In each example, the act that occurs is outside of one’s control. When one chooses to forgive however, when one chooses to turn the other cheek, one is doing so by choice. This is not victimization. This is the ultimate act of control. Forgiving is the ultimate act in standing up for oneself because in forgiving, one acknowledges that all is one. There is no victim in forgiveness. There is only love.
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