Forgiveness IS NOT deserved

Sometimes it is harder to accept kindness than criticism.  In the movie Man of Lamoncha there is a character by the name of Aldonza.  This character is a woman of the streets, who has not had an easy life.  Been passed from one man to another, mocked by many for her life style.  Had become very imbittered towards life.  Then someone started complimenting her, being kind to her for no other reason than she was valuable.  She screamed in agony at the kindness, abuse had become her expectation.  She was not deserving of kindness in her own mind, so she could not accept it.  Even resented it.  In our society it has sometimes been called the "Aldonza effect".

I have seen it many times in life, not just of those who are not considered "successful" but also of many over achievers.  There is no category of life that is not affected by our own perspective of who we are.  It is extremely difficult for most to accept compliments genuinely and even harder to accept kindness, mercy and grace when we know we have failed.  We expect harshness, we expect some sort of penalty .... there have to be consequences.   

Well sometimes that is true.  As a light hearted example of this I have been known to drive "a little" faster than the posted speed limits and at times have been ticketed for my indiscretion.  I have heard of others that received something called "a warning" (I have never personally experienced such a thing) but it seems these warnings have an element of grace or mercy.

On a more serious level I have heard of and known of those who have been seriously victimized by others actions and have said "they forgive" the perpetrator and ask no further affliction of them for their damaging actions.  Our society looks at them like Aldonza looked at those who showed her kindness.  So how does God look at the wrongs we commit towards Him or others?  Are you willing to take a look?

Psalm 103:8-12 has a pretty clear answer,

Psalm 103: 8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

4832 Pondering:  Is it uncomfortable accepting kindness/gifts/compliments?  Do you discount it as not real or you are not deserving?  

Forgiveness is not deserved but it is real through Christ, for it is a gift of mercy & grace, the debt/offense has been paid/erased/removed.