“We gain redemption by His blood, through the riches of His grace." ~ Ephesians 1:7
When 11-year-old Abram witnessed his Mom’s violent murder
while walking their dog, the love that had been inside him from birth melted
away. Caught in the crossfire of a gang-related hit, she’d taken three
38-caliber bullets and died on the street like a common garden weed.
Hatred set in
immediately. She would never see him graduate, never see him get married, or
have children. It’s not right for a child to bury his parent. “I wanted the
killer dead in the most painful way possible,” he admitted.
But after months of investigation, the crime remained
unsolved. A murderer remained at large, avoiding a possible life sentence
without parole. Abram headed down a self-destructive path of alcohol, drugs,
and crime, seeking love stolen from him by his Mom’s assassin.
Absent a suspect, he could only dream of retaliation - collecting
guns, knives, and even a pipe bomb. It would be ten years before his emotional
torture would end when his friend Jahmir encouraged him to attend a Bible study
that he was leading on forgiveness.
Initially skeptical and dismissive, Abram finally accepted his
buddy’s invitation. He’d grown tired of the hatred he’d been harboring that obstructed
any peace of mind.
Jahmir’s message rang clear. “When hatred boils up, take
the pot off the stove and open the lid. You gotta let that steam dissipate
safely before it burns you,” he suggested. “Repent now for everything you’ve
said and planned against the gunman. Pray for him as you pray for yourself. Every
time a hateful thought enters your consciousness, say, ‘I choose to forgive.’’’
Jahmir, too, sensed a change in his friend. When he was
certain that Abram had indeed forgiven his mother’s murderer, he confessed to
him: “It was my brother, Jaylen, who accidentally shot your Mom. Like many
young fools, he’d been lured into a gang by false promises. He’d like to
apologize for what he did.”
Abram stood dumbstruck by the admission. “Yes, I’d like
that,” he whispered.
In Abram’s presence, a deflated Jaylen broke down in tears,
confirming his guilt - no words needed to be spoken.
Abram embraced him, raining a further torrent of tears off Jaylen’s
cheeks. “From the bottom of my heart, Jaylen, I forgive you,” he said. Instantly,
Abram felt the remaining fragments of bitterness, animosity, and junk he’d
carried around for over a decade disappear, wiped away by Jesus’ blood.
“Man,” Jalen uttered through wailing gasps, “how… why would
you do that?”
Abram said, “Because of Who is in me. Through His grace, there
lies an opening for transformation.”
Forgiving Lord, I kneel before You,
admitting my sins and seeking Your forgiveness. Help me forgive those who have
wronged me, as resentment harms me more than it does them. Cleanse my heart
from all that taints it. Amen
