Forgive the Terrorists? Should We?

Have you forgiven the 9-11 Terrorists?

Some people say they will never forgive them. Some people say they forgive, but will not forget. A very, very few say they have forgiven them and are trying to forget. That’s extremely hard on anniversaries like the one this year. The whole terrible tragedy is revived, remembered, chronicled and debated on endless TV shows.

Let’s talk about the forgiveness. Jesus said (Mark 6:25) “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Also (Matthew 6:14) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” I must forgive the terrorists; I have to remind myself that Jesus hung on that cross for them, too, whether or not they even acknowledge Him.

Is America healing? Yes, though slowly. I wonder how much quicker it would be if there were more individual forgiveness. I forgive Khalid, Nawaf, Mohamed, Marwan, Ziad, and Hani. I forgive Waleed, Wail, Abdulaziz and Satam. I forgive Fayaz, Mohand, Hamza and three men named Ahmed. I forgive Majed, Saeed and Salem. Wow, that’s hard to say, especially aloud. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

Forgive, forgive, forgive. Read the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 to see how limitless our forgiveness should be. After all, God has forgiven us ALL of our sins, every last one, but if we fail to forgive others . . . well, I don’t want the Lord to be angry with me, what about you?