Could You Forgive Officer Guyger?

Would you be able to hug the person who was convicted of murdering your brother? On October 2nd Brandt Jean hugged Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Brandt's brother Botham. News reports say that even the judge, who later gave Guyger a Bible, was brought to tears. There is a lot to unpack from this dramatic moment in a Dallas court. For those who do not understand, let's take a moment to discuss what happened.

Jesus calls His followers to forgive those who do wrong as often as they wrong us up to seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). This is at times one of the most difficult parts of the Christian calling. It does not matter the size of the wrong or how much it hurts, believers are tasked with forgiving because God has forgiven us. That does not make it easy to forgive but it does give us an example of how we should respond. Now I don't know Brandt Botham but it appears he has taken that example to heart.

In looking at this example we must understand that forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we forget what was done nor does it mean we downplay the significance. God is described as being just and justice must be served. Even with the free gift of salvation promised under the New Covenant there is an expectation of justice. As a result the penalty for our sins had to be paid as required. Jesus gave His own life to pay our penalty. As a result the requirement for justice is satisfied and we are forgiven.

Botham Jean's family will likely never forget what happened. Hopefully they all, like Brandt Botham, can find it in themselves to forgive while never forgetting their loved one. This does not mean civic leaders should end their call for changes in how the system responds to people of different races. If something is wrong, it is still wrong even after we forgive. Whether or not justice was served in the courtroom is up for debate but one way or another justice will be served before God's throne. How that penalty is paid is up to Guyger.

Along with expressing his forgiveness, Brandt Botham expressed a desire for Amber Guyger to seek God's forgiveness. This also should be a natural response for all believers, as natural as forgiving others. We know that God demands justice. We also know the price of being found guilty before God, a price we should not want to see anyone pay. Because of our understanding of what happens and because of God's love in us, we should not want anyone to pay that price, no matter what they have done.

Don't get me wrong, I can think of a handful of historical figures for whom I'll shed no tears over their suffering as a result of their sins. But in general the Christian heart should long to see others receive Jesus, driven by love to share the Gospel of Christ. It's not up to us to decide who is redeemable and who is not. Instead we are compelled by love and by the Great Commision to make disciples for Christ, even if it means carrying the message to those whom we know are guilty.