March/April 2002 Vol.5, No. 3 Contents America's Growing Isolation by Melvin Rhodes Restoration: A Dangerous World by Darris McNeely Debate Over Islam Continues: Is It a Religion of Peace? by Cecil E. Maranville The Last Battle for the British Empire by John Ross Schroeder Generations in Crisis by Doug Johnson Disastrous Weather By Graemme Marshall In Brief...World News Review by Ken Martin and Jim Tuck This Is the Way... Forgiving the Unforgivable by Robin Webber March/April '02 WNP Main This is the Way... Forgiving the Unforgivable Today our world is besieged with a seemingly never-ending cycle of violence. Unfortunately, this cycle of "payback time" appears alive and well wherever humans draw breath and are willing to use their last ounce of energy to exercise their own perceived right to exact revenge. Be it in the lanes of Belfast, the barrios of Bogotá, the streets of Jerusalem or the back alleys of Karachi--the threat is ever present. And yes, sometimes all we have to do is look over the top of what we are reading this very minute and recognize it might be in our very own homes. The normal line of thought behind the plague of revenge goes something like this: "You poked me, so I am going to poke you back twice as hard. And, we're going to keep up this routine till one person doesn't return the counter strike." In other words, I am going to exact my rightful pound of flesh from your hide, because the rules of survival dictate "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But let's consider for a moment the ultimate ramifications of this age-old adage. Carrying that thought to its logical conclusion would mean that our world would wind up both blind and toothless. But thankfully, occasionally the mold is broken; and when it is, we need to take a good hard look and understand a little more deeply the power of the moment. Just over 137 years ago, one man offered a tremendous vision after an incredibly tense time in the affairs of his country. He willingly offered terms to a vanquished foe that were very different from those any victor had previously offered. Such thoughtful words were offered after four intense years of civil war between the states of an infant American republic. Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0203/way0203.htm Related Information on UCG Sites: Table of Contents that includes "Forgiving the Unforgivable" Other Articles by Robin Webber Lincoln, Abraham: _A Heart Beyond the Hurt _Two Minutes Dedicated to Eternity _Book Review: The Great Republic: A History of America _Lincoln: President and Prophet? Forgiveness: _Turning Swords Into Plowshares: Starting Now _The Wheat Doesn't Know Hate _War's Long Memory _The Church of God Today _Destination and Course Correction: Planned From the Outset _Forgiveness of Sin _Sin and God's Law _The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ _Repentance _Other Important Ways Jesus Fulfilled the Law _The 'Curse of the Law' _Grace and Law: Why Are They Inseparable? _The High Priest Essential to Salvation _How Does Justification Relate to Salvation? _What Was 'Wiped Out' by Jesus Christ's Death? _A High Priest Eager to Help Us _Gifts from God: The Foundation of His Relationship with Us _Is Our Conscience Important? _God's Grace and Forgiveness _Why Must We Be Reconciled to God? _What is Repentance? _Did You Sin Today? _Three Strikes and You're Out - or Are You? _If I Knew Then What I Know Now _What Is Repentance? _What Does the Bible Teach About Fasting? _What Does It Mean to Have Freedom in Christ? _Reconciliation: A Vital Part of Christ's Message _Forgive, and You Shall Be Forgiven _Seven Reasons Why Jesus Was Born _The Transforming Power of Forgiveness _Just for Youth: Making Peace _Questions and Answers - Sep/Oct 2003 _How Do Your Recover From a Costly Mistake? _Repentance: A Profound Turnaround! _Repentance, Penance and Grace _What's the Answer to a Better Life? _How Do You Recover From a Costly Mistake? _Forgiving Your Parents _"Sometimes You Have to Break the Rules"? _Thoughts From Dad _Do You Remember When? _Loving Your Enemies _Discover the Power of Forgiveness _Are You Pulling Your Own Hair? _Can God Forgive Me? _Religion With and Without Mercy _Forgive _What if We Sin After Conversion? _God's Forgiveness: What Does He Require From You? _A Lesson in Prayer Search Our Site Key Subjects Index General Topics Index Biblical References Index Good News Magazine Index Booklets and All Literature Index Home Page of this site