THEY KNOW NOT

We tend to assume the worst about people who sin against us. 

"I know exactly why he did what he did." 

"She knew how much she would hurt me when she plunged the knife in, and then she turned it ... on purpose."

"They did  that just to make me mad!" 

But are we mind readers? And did the one who sinned against us think through and plan every aspect of their words and actions for maximum harm against us? 

If we step back and look at the situation objectively, wouldn't it be closer to say that person wasn't thinking about US at all?  Isn't it more likely their motives were purely self-centered? And possibly quite confused and irrational?

The Bible gives us no wiggle room: We are called to forgive others who sin against us in the same way as God forgives us. 

That's a tall order, especially when you look at what Jesus said from the cross in Luke 23:34: 

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Forgive these people BECAUSE they really have no clue what they are doing.

Wow.