George Instagram 21 hours ago

Feeling Christ's Love Requires Forgiving the Undeserving

The speaker describes a common experience: years of Orthodox practice, attending church, lighting candles, fasting, praying, yet still feeling empty inside. He realized the purpose of faith is not rule-keeping but feeling Christ's love, warmth, and peace, the sense that Christ is truly present. Those who truly feel Christ's presence are the ones trying to become like him, not the ones who know the most.

Traditions are important and should be kept, but most people stop at traditions and do not move beyond them. Many claim belief and Orthodox identity yet refuse to forgive, to stop hating, or to be humble, saying that is not who they are or that they are not good at it. Christ is met precisely when everything is against you: when someone laughs at you, hurts you, makes you feel your worst, and you still find strength to forgive.

Christ himself said loving only those who love you brings no reward, and on the cross he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." St. John wrote that anyone who says he loves God but hates his brother is a liar, so to feel Christ's love you must give it first, especially to the one who least deserves it.

Key moments

Many people practice their faith for years, going to church, lighting candles, fasting, praying, and still feel empty inside.
The speaker found that the whole point of faith is not rule-keeping but feeling Christ's love, warmth, and peace, the sense that Christ is truly with you.
Those who truly feel Christ's presence are the ones trying to become like him, not the ones who know the most.
Traditions are important and should be kept, but most people stop at traditions and do not move beyond them.
Many claim belief and Orthodox identity yet refuse to forgive, to stop hating, or to be humble, saying 'that's not me' or 'I'm not good at that.'
Christ is met precisely when everything is against you: when someone laughs at you, hurts you, makes you feel your worst, and you still find strength to forgive.
Christ himself said loving only those who love you brings no reward, and on the cross he prayed, 'Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.'
St. John wrote that anyone who says he loves God but hates his brother is a liar, so to feel Christ's love you must give it first, especially to the one who least deserves it.

13 opinions in the discussion 11 participants, 8 replies to each other The opinion with the most support Hi George, I'm pretty new to Christianity and now exploring Orthodoxy. I've prayed a few times, should I continue and add fasting? I haven't been to an Orthodox church yet, should I hold off and wait? Read the discussion

50 comments at the source Original on Instagram

Discussion · 13

Opinions are anonymous retellings of real comments from the original discussion. The same colour marks the same participant.

opinion#3140 15 likes at the source
Hi George, I'm pretty new to Christianity and now exploring Orthodoxy. I've prayed a few times, should I continue and add fasting? I haven't been to an Orthodox church yet, should I hold off and wait?
- opinion#3141 23 likes at the source
  
  Welcome brother, that's beautiful. Yes, keep praying, every day if you can, even just a few minutes morning and night. Don't wait on that. With fasting, go slowly. Fasting in Orthodoxy isn't a diet or a solo challenge, it's done together with the Church and under a priest's guidance. If you want to start, try something simple like Wednesdays and Fridays. But the most important step right now is visiting an Orthodox church near you. Go to a Divine Liturgy, just stand and watch, then talk to the priest afterwards. Tell him you're new and exploring. He'll guide you much better than I can.
- opinion#3142 2 likes at the source
  
  Thank you George for your help and time.
opinion#3139 3 likes at the source

I have a very rocky relationship with my brother, still do. We're both in our 60's and it started changing when he was about 13 and I was 15. He's a very jealous man, and I've tried many times to accept that's just how he is. He was and still is jealous of my children, he hates my daughter and I think he hates me too. He's a bully and doesn't like women, he thinks they're only good for one thing you can guess and for being a slave to the home. A true male chauvinist. When he's nice, he's really good, but it never lasts. He's nice to your face then runs people down. He looks after my dad, since we lost our mum in 2018. He and dad took her ashes without telling anyone, not me or my grown kids, and scattered her in the sea. It broke my children's hearts, they were very close to her. Because he cares for my dad, now in his 90's, he makes visits very uncomfortable. Dad can be a chauvinist too and is close to my brother, though they fall out at times. I did care for dad in our home for about 3 months, but he constantly caused trouble so I told him he had to go back, and he did, back to my brother. I try to forgive my brother and look for the good, since caring for dad takes real responsibility and patience. But it doesn't change how difficult he is whenever we want to visit. I don't have much in common with my dad anymore, conversation is always awkward. I haven't seen him since he…
opinion#3138 2 likes at the source
Sorry to disagree, but I have forgiven those who hurt me and broke me. Do I have to keep them in my life though? I walked away from them. I say may God bless them and keep them well, but I won't let them back into my life. Am I wrong?
- opinion#3143 2 likes at the source
  
  You're not wrong. Sometimes distance is actually healthy. Jesus warns us about specific types of people. But make sure you truly forgave them and wish them well. Forgiveness and reconciliation are two different things, and that's my indicator. If the person is apologetic and will change their ways, they've repented. Would you be able to have a heartfelt conversation with them?
- opinion#3144
  
  I actually read about this the other day. No, you're not wrong. There's a part in the Bible where Jesus withdrew from a hostile crowd and told his followers to shake the dust off their feet.
- opinion#3145 7 likes at the source
  
  You're not wrong at all, sister. Forgiving doesn't mean keeping close to the people who hurt you or letting them back into your life. Forgiveness is letting go, so you don't carry that weight in your heart anymore. Protecting yourself and keeping your distance is wisdom, not a lack of forgiveness. And blessing them and praying God keeps them well, like you do, is exactly what forgiveness looks like.
- opinion#3146 1 likes at the source
  
  I believe it's been so long that no conversation is needed. It's best that God blesses them. So thank you.
- opinion#3147 1 likes at the source
  
  Thank you, I will shake the dust and move on as I have. God bless.
- opinion#3148
  
  You can forgive somebody without having lunch with them. Forgiving them means you stop letting them, and whatever hurt you, live rent free inside your brain.
opinion#3136

I relate to what you said about feeling the warmth of God's love, and I feel it too, both in church and at home. My relationship with God is fundamental to me and I'm so grateful for it. I'm glad you're voicing this, because our religion is so much more than going to church. It's daily practice at home, with family, friends and neighbors, and communion with Christ throughout the day. Sometimes being deeply involved in the church community can actually do the opposite. The community is wonderful, but the push and pull of politics makes it hard. That's when the choir really comes in. Just being in the beautiful church, listening to the music and experiencing the liturgy brings that warm feeling too. There are so many beautiful things in our religion and in Christ's life to reflect on, and that's exactly what you're doing.
opinion#3137

The hardest things I've ever had to forgive were my ex husband for murdering my babies, and my Sgt for betraying me and the man I love to separate us, she even got a promotion for it. Then the military passed a new law saying we can never be together as long as he's in the Army. I'm still struggling to forgive that.