Benescke Janse van Rensburg
On September 6 last year, Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer in Dallas, America shot and killed a young man, Botham Jean, in his apartment. She made a mistake, thinking she was in her own apartment. She thought Jean was a burglar and shot him dead. Guyger was convicted of murder in October this year and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
During the testimony for aggravation, Jean's youngest brother, Brandt, surprised the courtroom when, instead of telling about the hurt they were as a family suffered (because they did), he said: "I forgive you. I know if you go to God and you ask Him, He will forgive you too. I love you like anyone else and I want the best for you. . . This is what my brother would want for you. . . That you give your life to Christ." He even went a step further and with a cracking in his voice asked the judge if he could hug Guyger. This behavior caused tears throughout the court room.
Brandt understood that forgiveness means surrendering judgment to God while you can walk away with freedom. In Colossians 3:13 we read: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." In Matthew 6:14 it is written: "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. And in Ephesians 4: 31-32, we become recalls: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Who is that person that hurt you? A spouse who cheated on you? Someone who molested or raped you? Someone you trusted that turned on you and did the unthinkable?
Let's take the situation to God and surrender it to Him. Let us ask Him to enable us to forgive and acquit. When we do this, we do not say what happened was right. We simply choose to no longer allow bitterness to poison our lives. Let us trust God so we can taste freedom and healing in our lives. God bless.
Father God, thank you for forgiving me of my sin when I repent. Please help me to forgive (mention the situation) and to no longer keep a grudge. I want to live in freedom. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Photos: See a video and photo of the above-mentioned story at www.benescke.co.za or
o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storiesvanhoop
o Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesvanhoop
• Feedback: Give feedback on the series at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also share your testimony about something God has done in your life that may be encouraging to other readers at the same address.