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“I Forgave My Cousin”
[Jesus speaking] “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, …”
George writes:
I am George N. X. from Kerela, India. I had hatred from my childhood, but I never realized it until I had a business problem with my cousin.
At that time I had just started to know Jesus Christ, and I realized I have hatred. The hatred was so powerful that it destroyed my business, and my bank took action for recovery.
During that difficult time, I tried to understand Jesus, and in my difficulty I discovered that God is love. Then I stopped praying for my financial problem, and I started praying for the Holy Spirit.
Then I asked Jesus how to receive the Holy Spirit. He showed me in the Word to pray for others. Then I started praying for others to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Then I asked Jesus, “Who are others?” He showed me Matthew 5:44, which says “Love your enemies.” Then I stopped reading the Bible and said this isn’t possible for me. For the last 12 years I had been trying to love my enemies, and I had failed.
Days later, I read Matthew 5:46, which says “Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that! And if you speak only to your friends, have you done anything out of the ordinary? Even the pagans do that.” From these words I realized my position as a pagan and tax collector.
Then I read Matthew 5:44 again: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the sons of your Heavenly Father.”
Then I started praying for my enemies because Jesus told me in Matthew that the Heavenly Father gives his sons the Holy Spirit. And I know if I receive the Holy Spirit, I will be able to forgive him [my cousin] and love him.
From that day onward I started praying for him [my cousin], and with Jesus’ help I was able to get out of hatred. And when I realized that God never punished Adam and Eve in the garden, I was able to forgive him.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on February 8th, 2008 and filed under Bible, God's Love, Your Stories, Conversions, Verses, Prayer, Struggles.
February 8th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
George, I appreciate your honesty about your struggle to forgive your cousin. And I’m inspired by how you leaned into Jesus and how your heart softened over time.
I’m just curious, how was the Adam and Eve story helpful for you in this situation? It sounds like when you realized God was gracious with Adam and Eve, you were able to be gracious to your cousin. Is that accurate?
Thanks, George, for sharing!
February 8th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Dear George N. X. :
“Hatred” is a natural reaction/emotion. When I hate a person, I know subconsciously that that is part of myself.
“What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.” (Herman Hess, Demand).
Most importantly, however, is what the Psalmist resonates in me: “I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me…I will know no evil.” (Psalms 101: 3-4).
In any stressful situation, like you, I pray “for the Holy Spirit” to get me out of hatred. I strive to practise “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28).
Realizing that “Pardon, and you will be pardoned” (Luke 6:37), I am empowered with His Holy Spirit of peace and joy with a free mind, heart and soul to be His humble servant here and now.
Thank you, and
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you this Chinese New Year of Rat,
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Dear George,
I think it’s great that you were able to to see the whole picture. We all need the the holy spirit in our lives more than anything else. It guides and leads us into all truth and without it there would be no hope for mankind. The holy spirit is the living word of god and lives in us. For comfort, for guidance, for knowledge, and it will lead us in the paths of righteosness where in we may attain that perfect love in our hearts that makes it possible for us to forgive someone.
St.Matt. 6:11-15 says, Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, “BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL”: [The hatred] For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their tresspasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.
But if you forgive “not” men their tresspasses, neither will your Father forgive “Your” tresspasses.
I think it’s great how you turned your attention to god and away from yourself and set your priorities in order. Because without the holy spirit we have no power, especially the power of forgiveness.
God Bless and Keep You!
Michael Baker