Inspiring Story: True Forgiveness

It's that time again... time for the Inspiring Story meme! Lately, this meme has been rather sporadic, almost non-existent. That was not my original intention. However the purpose of this meme is to share a story each weekend that will inspire and encourage you. Anyone who would like to join in this meme may do so. Simply feature a true story, a personal testimony, or a story which has a (Godly) moral lesson on your blog. All entries must be of the Christian nature. Then use the "linky" tool, so that others can see your stories. If you do not have a blog, but wish to share a story anyway, you may leave it in the comments box. Thank you.
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Today's story comes from an issue of the Voice of the Martyrs (Special Issue -- 2007). Enjoy! Christ the Savior saves many from their hate. In a world of fear and terror, Christian courage reigns supreme. Sandu Franco, a Communist colonel of the secret police in Romania, had imprisoned and tortured many Christians. He became one of the most powerful men after the Minster of Internal Affaris. Years earlier, he had married a young Christian woman who came to him with a request. A pastor she knew had disappeared into prison. Now, could her powerful husband find this man? To impress his wife (and probably out of curiosity), Colonel Franco summoned the pastor to an interrogation. He found this pastor, with scars of torture on his body, who spoke to him about the mercy and love of God.
The colonel returned home and sat at a table, desperately holding his head in his hands. "Something is wrong with me!" he cried to his wife. "I am sick. I have never met anyone like this man in my whole life." His wall of hatred had been cracked. He had received an electroshock of grace from the founder of our ministry, Richard Wurmbrand. The colonel wrote a decree to free Pastor Wurmbrand. In June 1956, Richard walked out of Jilava prison. He began preaching in large cathedrals to thousans. The police were afraid to arrest him because they saw the colone's signature on his release letter and thought Richard might be part of some ssecret plan of the government.
Later, the colonel went to prison for three years for this act of influencing others in the government. In 1959, Pastor Wurmbranc also returned to prison. One day, Richard and the colonel finally met; they embraced as brothers in Christ. The colonel stated, "I am honored that despite all the evil I have done, I was able to suffer for Jesus." When both were released, Pastor Wurmbrand (the tortured) baptized Colonel Franco (the former torturer). The colonel had been rescued from his hatred. Both men now rejoice in heaven.

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I share this story, because, not only is it remarkable, but it is also challenging to us as Christians. How often do we get bitter toward someone over something so petty? Yet, Richard Wurmbrand forgave his TORTURER! Why? Because Christ has forgiven us, and Christ died for the worst of people -- including the torturer! The more I read on the topic of religious persecution, the more I see that if we want to forgive others, we must be filled with the love of God. Why? When we love God, we automatically love others; therefore, we forgive those who have wronged us -- no matter how much wrong they have done and no matter how "bad" they may be. There is no room for hate (which is really love's opposite), because Christ died for them, just as much as He died for us! And if He died for us, we live for Him and reconcile men to God. How then, can we reconcile people to God if we are full of hatred, if we won't forgive? Unforgiveness is living for ourselves -- being selfish (a deed of the flesh) --- not God, but the world needs to see us truly living for God before they will repent. It's just as Paul says, "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.... Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 17, 20).
None of us is better than the other; the Bible says that ALL have sinned. So whether someone has commited the most heinous crime, or just told a "small" white-lie, it is still a sin. And Christ died to cover and forgive ALL sin: "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly," the Bible says. And when Jesus was hanging on the cross carrying the weight of the world's sins -- which is not even minutely compared to the wrongs which other have done to us -- He said, "Father, forgive them..."
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ~ Matthew 6:14-15
Will you forgive as Christ has forgiven you?