It is impossible to forgive someone if you feel superior to him or her.
Interpretation
Forgiveness requires equality in perceived value between individuals.
This quote by Timothy Keller emphasizes that true forgiveness cannot occur if one party sees themselves as better or superior to the other. For forgiveness to be genuine, there must be a recognition of equal worth and humanity, which allows for empathy and reconciliation. When we regard others as equals, we can understand their mistakes and shortcomings, facilitating the healing process that forgiveness brings.
In practice
During a therapy session, a counselor might use this quote to help clients understand the dynamics of their conflicts.
Falling in love in a Christian way is to say,'I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I'm signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey to my true self with me? It's going to be hard but I want to get there.
Only in Jesus Christ do we see how the untamable, infinite God can become a baby and a loving Savior. On the cross we see how both the love and the holiness of God can be fulfilled at once.
All human problems are ultimately symptoms, and our separation from God is the cause.
While your character flaws may have created mild problems for other people, they will create major problems for your spouse and your marriage.
To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.
God's Kingdom is "present in its beginnings, but still future in its fullness. This guards us from an under-realized eschatology (expecting no change now) and an over-realized eschatology (expecting all change now). In this stage, we embrace the reality that while we're not yet what we will be, we're also no longer what we used to be.
Whoever is in the distress can call me. I will come running wherever they are.
He wanted to put his arms around her, but she had a darkness that seemed to stand beside her like an acquaintance that would not go away.
After an hour or two of being socially on, we introverts need to turn off and recharge ... This isn't antisocial. It isn't a sign of depression.
Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we begin to listen to each other's stories, things begin to change. We begin the movement from exclusion to inclusion, from fear to trust, from closedness to openness, from judgment and prejudice to forgiveness and understanding. It is a movement of the heart.
I never ask my wife about my flaws. Instead I try to get her to ignore them and concentrate on my sense of humor.
But it's amazing how many people think that gay men should slink off into the shadows when it comes to having friendships with children.
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