Picture the person you detest most in this world. Okay, so maybe you don’t detest them. You’ve forgiven them. But there’s still one person in the ole memory bank who has wronged you, hurt you, betrayed you, abandoned you, cheated on you… Yep. That person. Got their picture in your head?
Now imagine walking nearly 70 miles to help them.
This week, while digging through stories about the American Revolution, I came across the inspiring story of Peter Miller. He was a minister in Pennsylvania in the late 1700s, deeply devoted to the cause. Though a pacifist, he remained one of George Washington’s most trusted spies. Miller was well-loved by nearly everyone in his community.
Except one man, Michael Whitman.
Whitman hated Miller and tortured him for years with insults and physical assaults, even spitting in his face, knowing Miller would never retaliate.
See, it turned out, Whitman was a spy for the British. After his arrest and trial, authorities proved he’d assisted the British on numerous occasions. And there was just one price for treason: death.
When Miller learned the fate of his arch nemesis, he didn’t clap his hands or rejoice. Instead, he walked nearly 70 miles to Philadelphia to meet with General George Washington himself to plead mercy for Whitman.
Washington explained to the minister that he was sorry, but there was no pardon for the life of his friend, Michael Whitman.
“My friend!” the preacher gasped. “He is the bitterest enemy that I have.”
“Tell me, why is it that you would ask the pardon of your worst enemy?” Washington wanted to know.
Miller simply replied, “I ask it because Jesus did as much for me.”
Washington granted the pardon.
To view the full video discussion of this week’s topic, click here.
Miller rushed to the execution site, arriving just as Whitman was carried to the scaffold. When Whitman spotted Miller, he growled, “There is old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hanged.”
But Whitman was stunned when Miller forced his way through the crowd of onlookers and handed over a pardon to the executioners. In Whitman’s most dire hour of need, Miller had literally gone the extra mile (er, 70) to rescue his adversary.
As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, this testimony from Peter Miller’s forgiving spirit really got me thinking (as these things often do)…
For you and me, the path to forgiveness is usually less than a 70-mile trek. Sometimes it’s making a phone call. Having coffee with someone. Sending a text. While at first it may be uncomfortable facing up to the hurt, the choice to let go is surprisingly simple. And freeing (ahem, speaking of freedom).
God’s Word reveals the path to forgiving others is the same path God uses to forgive us. Wait. Back up. Let me say that again. The path to forgiving others is the same path God uses to forgive us.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” (Matthew 6:14-15).
If any obstacle crowds the path, blocking our ability to forgive or be forgiven, we should move it. Without delay. The cost could be our souls.
It nearly cost me mine.
Years ago, I was disfellowshipped from my church after my divorce. (If you’ve never heard the story, my testimony is here.) An obstacle blocked my path to forgiveness, namely the roadblock of pride, hurt, and a victim mentality. The bitterness inside me rooted so deep and strong, soon I hated all Christians. I stopped praying. My cold heart walked away from God.
When I finally found my way back to Him, it was on my face. In tears. For hours. I begged His forgiveness, understanding my need to forgive those who’d wronged me.
And wouldn’t you know it? Forgiving the people who had shunned me, publicly humiliated me, or condemned me to hell—well, it didn’t hurt at all. On the contrary, the giant weight on my chest was lifted. I could breathe again. See again. Feel again. I was finally free.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive,” (Colossians 3:12-13).
The greatest freedoms we will celebrate this week are our undeserved freedoms from God’s promises. We are free from sin, free from the captivity of Satan’s lies, and free to walk with the King as His children.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” (John 8:36).
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven…” (Luke 6:37).
“Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.” -Byron Katie
My book GOD STORIES is now available for purchase here. Or, to listen to the FULL audiobook for FREE, click here.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.