Forgiveness

Who is it that who benefits by my forgiveness?
Is it the sinner, who knows his own heart,
or is it I who needs to understand the burden of that sin?
What benefit to the sinner is my forgiveness?
Will my beneficence cause him to sin no more?
Nay I say! Loudly and clearly I say Nay!
Forgiveness is mine by which to ease evil’s horror.
I forgive - I forgive the sinner and not the sin?

Like yesterday, the act cannot be changed
and will remain, even unto tomorrow and thence.
Every today, yesterday’s sin will linger in the mind;
and once tomorrow, God will judge.

But does not the victim own the benefit of forgiveness,
for the seeking of closure to evil’s pain?
For He gave us will and will not.

Page created: Tuesday, 11 December 2001