On September 6, 2018, Amber Guyger—an off-duty patrol officer in Dallas—entered the apartment of 26-year-old accountant Botham Jean. She later said she thought it was her own apartment and mistook Jean for a burglar, shooting and killing him.
[Posted with Permissions by The Gospel Coalition]
One year later, on October 1, 2019, she was found guilty of murder. On October 2, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Botham Jean’s brother Brandt was allowed to give a victim-impact statement, and he addressed Amber Guyer directly. Asking to hug, and then embracing your brother’s murderer after forgiving her publicly. It’s totally antithetical to human nature, so how does that happen?
His carefully chosen words, his cautiously articulated statement made it abundantly clear what made this moment possible: the inexplicable work of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside a regenerated, born-again heart. Brandt made it very clear that his peace in the midst of grief came through Christ, and she could find the same peace for her guilt only in Christ.
When we Christians say the only hope for America is Jesus, this is what we mean. Or it’s what we should mean.
The result was a beautiful Christian testimony—truly salt and light in a dark and twisted world.
I hope you go to God with all the guilt, all the bad things you may have done in the past. Each and every one of us may have done something that we’re not supposed to do. If you truly are sorry, I know, I can speak for myself, I, I forgive you.
And I know if you got to God and ask Him, He will forgive you. And I don’t think anyone can sit, again I’m speaking for myself not even on behalf of my family. But I love you just like anyone else.
And I’m not gonna say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did. But I personally want the best for you, and I wasn’t gonna ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you. Because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want for you. And the best would be give your life to Christ. I’m not gonna say anything else. I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person. And I don’t wish anything bad on you.
I don’t know if this is possible, but can I, can I give her a hug please? Please?
Receiving permission, Brandt embraced Guyger, who began sobbing. The powerful moment even touched Judge Tammy Kemp who can be seen wiping away tears in the background.
In fact, Kemp was so moved, she stepped off the bench and retrieved her personal Bible from her chambers. Handing the Bible to Guyger, Kemp said, “You haven’t done so much that you can’t be forgiven.” She then read John 3:16, and said, “You haven’t done as much as you think you have, and you can be forgiven. You did something bad in one moment in time. What you do now matters.”
It was another remarkable moment in a truly remarkable day. On a day when justice was served, the hope of forgiveness and reconciliation brought together a devastated family and a divided community.
But not everyone was happy about the compassion and mercy demonstrated in the courtroom.
On Thursday, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), poured cold water on the judge’s display of kindness by filing a formal complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, alleging Judge Kemp “overstepped” her judicial authority by giving Guyer a Bible.
At a time when our nation is fractured, aren’t such moments of grace and reconciliation exactly what we need more of?
Speaking to reporters after the trial, Bertram Jean, Botham’s father, also forgave his son’s convicted killer.
In similar situations over the last few years, the interplay of race and police authority have triggered protests and riots and threatened to destroy the social fabric of many communities. However, because of the courageous and gracious response of the Jean family and Judge Kemp, the community in Dallas has begun to heal.
In her piece (read it all in context) in EEW Magazine Online, “Why the position of Christians condemning the forgiveness of Amber Guyger is indefensible”, Rebecca Johnson writes from a Christian women of color’s perspective:
White, racist police officers are still brutalizing and killing black unarmed women, men, and children, with impunity. In rare, shocking cases, like this one, when they are convicted of a crime, they receive little to no jail time.
Botham Jean’s life was stolen, and I hear you saying we have a right to be mad.
Yes, we do.
But what about withholding forgiveness and condemning the victim’s brother for extending grace and working to heal from his unimaginable pain?
Is it biblically-sound to support a mindset that says, I don’t forgive you because you don’t deserve my forgiveness?
Is it a tenet of our faith that forgiveness must only be offered to the deserving? Can we be followers of Jesus’ teachings and put love, mercy, and compassion on the backburner?
Here’s what I know for sure. We did not and still do not deserve forgiveness. Yet Christ gave it, and we are most like Him when we extend that same forgiveness.
This is the gospel.
This is the radical grace of which we are beneficiaries. There is no out clause in Scripture when it comes to offering forgiveness if the crime is too heinous. Such a loophole does not exist to justify hatred and the willful withholding of forgiveness.
In our flesh, we will struggle at times to forgive. We are human, and that is to be expected. But to consciously and stubbornly deny forgiveness to offending parties and condemn Jean’s forgiveness of Guyger is antithetical to the gospel.
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I fear that some claiming to be Christians while refusing to follow Christ’s principles of forgiveness and lavish love, will get to the pearly gates and realize too late, as Amber Guyger did, that they are at the wrong house.
I know you may be angry and justifiably so. However, if you are condemning the forgiveness of Guyger, that position, according to the word of God, is indefensible.
True disciples of Jesus are led by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us all to overcome our old nature and produce the righteous fruit of forgiveness and love. You cannot do this on your own, but through Christ, this is possible.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” ~Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
[Posted with Permissions by The Gospel Coalition] [Additional excerpts are from David Closson’s post “Anti-Religion Group Rains on Court’s Parade of Forgiveness“]
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Tom Shiflett
I hope and pray this will be excepted as a comment, it is lengthy but it is what my heart has longed for. For many years to say to many churches and Christians:
Forgiving
It has been my finding that in Gods word we are to forgive our Brothers …. seven times? no Seventy times seven. In the same day for the same wrong? yes if that what it takes. This was taught to the diciples by Jesus. Why? can you see what would happen if we did this? One it would immediatly restore that one to the body of Christ in his or her place in the body. Two it would restore that one in the fellowship of the Father. Three it would restore the working of the ministry without pause.
Another finding is that ‘we have all gone astray, there is none righteous no not one’. ‘We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God’. This is why we were taught to forgive by Jesus, only I fear we have failed to teach what he taught as it is easier to condemn than to forgive and go on.
Why do we think that the prayer He taught us says ‘ forgive us as we forgive’? With out forgiveness in our lives for others we will have no forgiveness for ourselves. Wrong is wrong, sin is sin, but aren’t we all thankful for Gods grace, his loving kindness and mercy that says that He is willing that none should perish but that all would come to repentance?
We must also remember that ‘Gods gifts (graces) and callings (invitations) are without repentance’ This is the most important reason to forgive and keep our brothers and sisters in the body functioning as part of the body, other wise we will become a dismembered church unable to function at all.
Ro. 11:29 (26-35)
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Listen to the explaination of Paul about this revelation,
33 ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Mt. 18:21-35.
21 ¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Thou forgavest. Divine forgiveness follows immediately on true confession to Him. Compare 2Sa_12:13. Gen_44:16, Gen_44:17. Job_42:5, Job_42:6. Isa_6:5-7. Dan_10:10-12. Luk_5:8-10.
Reconciliation
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Reconciliation
A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity.
1. In #Col 1:21,22 the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In #2Co 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be “reconciled to God,” i.e., to lay aside their enmity.
2. #Ro 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. #Ro 5:11 teaches the same truth. From God we have received “the reconciliation” (R.V.), i.e., he has conferred on us the token of his friendship. So also #2Co 5:18,19 speaks of a reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the removal of his merited wrath. In #Eph 2:16 it is clear that the apostle does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God, but to the restoration of God’s forfeited favour. This is effected by his justice being satisfied, so that he can, in consistency with his own nature, be favourable toward sinners. Justice demands the punishment of sinners. The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us. This reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables him to pardon and save us.
See Easton on ATONEMENT 362
Ro. 11:29 word gifts:
5486 carisma charisma khar’-is-mah from 5483; TDNT-9:402,1298; n n
AV-gift 15, free gift 2; 17
1) a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own
2) the gift of divine grace
3) the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue
4) the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith
5) grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit
Ro. 11:29 word calling
2821 klhsiv klesis klay’-sis from a shorter form of 2564; TDNT-3:491,394; n f
AV-calling 10, vocation 1; 11
1) a calling, calling to
2) a call, invitation
2a) to a feast
2b) of the divine invitation to embrace salvation of God
Ro. 11:29 the words ‘without repentance’
278 ametamelhtov ametameletos am-et-am-el’-ay-tos from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 3338; TDNT-4:626,589; adj
AV-without repentance 1, not to be repented of 1; 2
1) not repentant of, unregretted
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
As to the ‘law of Christ’ = Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Also; Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
forgive. All editions read “have forgiven”. That prayer and plea was suited for that dispensation of the kingdom, but is reversed in this present dispensation. See Eph_4:32. Then, forgiveness was conditioned; now, we forgive because we have been forgiven on account of Christ’s merits.
Eph_4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
My wife sent this to me just the other day
May 7, 2019
GOD’S FORGIVENESS
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who fails in his duty to us.” — Lk 11:4. WEYMOUTH
FORGIVENESS Is the exclusive prerogative of Christianity. The schools of ancient morality had four cardinal virtues—justice in human relations; prudence in the direction of affairs; fortitude in bearing trouble or sorrow; temperance or self-restraint. But they knew nothing of mercy or forgiveness, which is not natural to the human heart. Forgiveness is an exotic, which Christ brought with Him from Heaven. As long as He abode on earth, He forgave, and He left it as an injunction and example that His people were to forgive even as they had been forgiven.
Our Lord does not mean that God’s forgiveness is measured by our own, or that our forgiveness is the cause of God’s. Neither of these is the true rendering of this clause; but that God cannot forgive an unforgiving spirit. The only sure index that our contrition and penitence are genuine is that we forgive those who have wronged us. If we do not forgive, it proves that we have never attained that true position of soul before God in which He is able to forgive.
How is it with you? Do you forgive? Or are there men and women that you obstinately refuse to forgive? If there are, it shows that your own soul is not right before God; your love to God is gauged by your love to men; your relationship to God is indicated by your relationship to your fellows. The man who does not love the brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. Discover where you are to-day. If there is anyone in your life that you refuse to pray for and forgive, know that your heart is wrong with God.
Do the first thing, begin to pray for them, and say: “Forgive us—that one who has hurt me, that man who has wronged me; he needs forgiveness, but I need it equally. We are both in the wrong. I might have made it easier for him to do right than I have done.” Second, ask for the opportunity to meet him. Third, claim that when you meet, there may be in you the royalty of God’s grace, that you may bear yourself with that rare, gracious love which covers the multitude of sins. Be willing that through your lips God’s pitying mercy may pass forth in words of human kindness and tenderness.
PRAYER
Forgive us, we pray Thee; put away our sin, as far as the east is from the west. Remember it no more, cast it behind Thee as into the depths of the sea. May we be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven us. AMEN.