You know, Sage, Jesus didn't tell us to forgive everyone. He said turn the other cheek, but only if you the one who was hit. Even the Lord's Prayer says it loud and clear: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Not others. What Jesus challenges us to do is to let go of the wrong done to you personally, not the wrong done to someone else. But most Christians incorrectly assume that this means that being a good christian means forgiving all sins, and the sinners.
In Jodi Picoult's book "The Storyteller," the nature of forgiveness within the context of Christianity is examined. The narrative suggests that Jesus's teachings on forgiveness are often misinterpreted. It emphasizes that Jesus instructed individuals to forgive those who wronged them personally rather than issuing a blanket forgiveness for all sins committed by others. This distinction highlights the personal aspect of forgiving based on one's own experiences and grievances.
The quote illustrates that turning the other cheek is an action reserved for specific situations where one has been personally harmed. The Lord's Prayer reinforces this idea with its call for forgiveness as it pertains solely to the individual’s own transgressions against them. Many Christians mistakenly believe that true Christian virtue entails forgiving all sins and sinners indiscriminately, but the text reminds readers of a more nuanced understanding of forgiveness centered on personal accountability and healing.
