I have written about people who have been hurt by the Church. I have written somewhat about what lessons the Church should learn from these incidents. However, that is just one side of the coin. As they say, “It takes two to tango.”
I was thinking about some of these things when I came across an old blog that is still online but apparently no longer maintained. Why? The person has moved on. Granted, they are no longer in the Church, but at least they have picked up and moved on.
I find this to be in stark contrast to some of the blogs out there that continue on their criticism of all things Armstrong, right, wrong or indifferent.
A Church is full of people, and people are not perfect. There are wheat and there are tares all under one roof.
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15, King James Version)
Jesus did not say to forgive only if they say they are sorry. Jesus did not say to only forgive if they did it by accident. Jesus did not say to only forgive if they were “true brethren” or “true Christians” or “not false”.
Don’t get me wrong. You don’t have to stay in an abusive church any more than you need to stay in an abusive relationship. However, to hold on to anger, disappointment and/or bitterness really is self-destructive. It can even lead to the ultimate destruction. After all, if God does not forgive you, where does that leave you?