Mere Christianity Chapter 7 Summary

In chapter seven of book three of Mere Christianity, Lewis talks about forgiveness. A concept that is not only foreign but also extremely unpopular. He bring up the age old commandment “ though shall love thy neighbor as thyself” , while stating that neighbor includes one’s enemies and what a terrible, thing it is to have to forgive your enemies. Lewis goes on further to state how people often refer to forgiveness as such a wonderful and beautiful thing until it falls upon them to provide it (Lewis, pg.132).
This idea of resentment towards forgiveness brings Lewis to question why such resentment is so common in the hearts of Christians, stating that it is not that they find the virtue difficult but that it simply makes them sick (Lewis, pg.132).

He also admits that if we find someone so unlovable then are we so lovable ourselves? If loving yourself has nothing to do with you then doesn’t the same apply to everyone else as well? Lewis raps up by talking about how this unconditional love is how God himself loves us despite all the unattractive qualities and that what this idea of forgiveness really is.
Forgiveness is a very interesting concept. It goes against human nature at its core. We understand wrath and revenge but not forgiveness. That doesn’t just include not being able to provide it but being able to receive it as well. In fact it is almost harder to receive forgiveness than it is to provide it because as Lewis pointed out it does not seem very loving to accept such grace.
There is a sermon where the Pastor was telling a story about when he was a young boy, he took his Jeep and drove it through his friend’s dad’s yard. He thought for sure that his friend’s dad would be angry and punish him but the next morning when the Pastor went to show his friend’s dad the damage, the whole yard was covered in beautiful sparkling snow. The dad simply replied that he didn’t see any damage and that his garden had never been more beautiful. The Pastor was shocked only being able to think about how under all that snow was a mess he had