FORGIVENESS (2013) Book Review
I love the music of Matthew West, but it fills my heart with joy to see he extends his ministry through writing. His latest book, Forgiveness, is a book for every household. I’m especially happy to see a book that addresses such a widespread problem. I’ve personally seen the toll that the inability/refusal to forgive takes on a person.
It’s a slippery slope that leads to fear, anger, bitterness, isolation, obsession, and manipulation. These things and more turn one into an ugly person, and people don’t like to be around it. It’s a destructive and lonely path.
From a logical point of view life seems so much easier after letting go of one’s anger and moving on. The hard part is that period between anger and forgiveness. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. However, my life is much improved because of it. It has restored many of my friendships.
Luke 7:47: “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Who are we not to forgive others when God is so eager to forgive all of us? We as Christians are called to follow the example of Christ. Forgiveness is the very core of our faith. We have no message without it. We need to show people that we forgive others in order for others to understand the forgiveness that offers to them.
Forgiveness is a collection of inspirational stories about people who suffer terrible tragedies and injustices. Yet, they manage to find the peace that forgiveness brings. These are real stories about real people experiencing real forgiveness. It’s exactly what the Christian ministry needs in these times. It’s exactly the things I endorse here on Christ In Culture. Forgiveness, acceptance, and love.
I cannot wait to see what Michael West does next.
