I didn’t see it coming. Walking home from my teachers’ class, a young Chinese professor and I were chatting. We passed by an ethnic store and he mentioned he would never buy any of their products. “I hate them,” this quiet man whom I had trouble hearing in class, said through his teeth. “I will never forgive them for what they did to my country.” Now ‘what they did to his country’ was referring to attacks in a war long before he was born. I’m not condoning the actions; just giving the time frame. 

“Xiao Li, have you ever known someone from this country?” 

“It doesn’t matter. I hate them and will teach my children the same. You should too. They attacked your country. We must always think it was wrong.”

I pointed out the culpability of all people and nations and the emotional weight of the stance he had taken. 

He shook his head, mumbled that I didn’t understand and changed the subject. 

But I do understand. When I’m hurt or treated unfairly, I want the other party to acknowledge their actions. At least say sorry! As this young man said, forgiving can feel like saying it’s ok and you’re letting it go. I also have sat as judge and jury and thought I decided who deserves forgiveness. 

How different from the forgiveness of our Father. My Father. His forgiveness is not based on His realization that I was poor, outnumbered, weak, or ignorant. It’s certainly not that I was good and He will never look at sin and say ‘it’s not wrong.’ It’s not Him saying, “I understand what made you do that and it’s ok.” 

No, He is a God who saw His creation rebel against Him and His holiness and love. The Bible is the account of His eternal plan to bring man back to Himself and give His creation the forgiveness each one needs and only He can give. 

The forgiveness that obediently responds with the forgiveness of others.

I pray that Xiao Li will experience it soon.