Forgive and forget?

The terrorist attack in Afghanistan at Kabul Airport were a brazen show of aggression by ISIS that has claimed many lives, including at least 12 soldiers from the United States.

After the attack, President Biden said, “To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

Contrast this with the words of Jesus, who said, “love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44), and “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

This is what makes the Sermon on the Mount so counter-cultural, so radically different to the ways of the world.

There is no doubt that the actions of those associated with the Taliban are evil, and that it is right to use force to defend those under attack and abuse.

Yet, if we are to follow the lead of the ultimate king of kings, the one who rules over presidents, then we should be praying that members of the Taliban repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then, the great miracle is that Jesus will forgive them for whatever atrocities they may have performed, and will love them and adopt them into his family.

It’s not that this forgiveness is without cost: Jesus gave his very life so that enemies like you, me, and repentant members of the Taliban, might be saved from the anger that God rightly had for us.

As we are broken-hearted at the hideous actions of the Taliban, let us pray that the Holy Spirit might lead them to come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness… which we know he will graciously give.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Matt Johnson via Flickr)