Paul Rogers tells the story of two young men who, years ago, robbed a YMCA in New York City. On their way out they savagely beat and left for dead a young man at the telephone switchboard because they thought he was calling the police. Though hidden behind a radiator, his body was accidently discovered later that evening by a swimmer. Donald Tippet was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he lingered between death and life for many days. Eventually, he recovered, but lost one of his eyes in the ordeal.
The men who assaulted Tippet were arrested and brought to trial. Facing a long prison sentence, they were surprised when Donald Tippet appeared at the trial and testified on their behalf. He asked the judge to remand the boys into his custody because he believed that, if given another change, they would do something good with their lives. The judge went along with Tippet’s request. One of the boys continued his life of crime and was captured and sent to jail. But, the other boy took advantage of the opportunity, went to college and then to medical school becoming a leading eye surgeon. Everett Palmer wrote about this famous surgeon’s accomplishments and said, “I wonder if he ever performs one of those delicate eye operations without thinking of that night in the YMCA and about the young man whose confidence and forgiveness changed his life.”
Forgiveness gives us freedom to accomplish great things. But, how can we possess such freedom? First, we must restore an attitude of love. When you love someone, it means that you value them as a person. And, when you value someone as a person, you are able to look past their faults and failures to see them as human beings who need compassion and forgiveness. Forgiveness cannot begin until love has been extended. Concerning brotherly love, Peter writes, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). How do we gain the freedom of forgiveness? “We love, because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). While we were lost in sins and enemies of God, we were given a second chance. What we do with the opportunity of grace will determine the ultimate destiny of our souls.
–Glen Elliott–