The Robinson Affair

The troubles of Mr and Mrs Robinson in N Ireland have become public, and
once again religion and politics are mixed into a messy and very sad
story. I'm not in a position to comment, let alone pass judgement, on
the details of their situation. However, a number of general issues are
highlighted by the news and are worth thinking about.

One issue is this: When Christians are involved in a fall from grace, is
it too glib just to say that God forgives us? Yes, if forgiveness is
seen as letting us get away with it so that we can go and repeat the
performance. I'm sure that is not the case here, but too often Christian
talk of forgiveness is seen simply as an easy way out. At the root of
the issue is our attitude towards the one we sin against: do we want a
relationship with that person, or not? If not, then to receive
forgiveness is a matter of liberation from guilt or debt, so that we can
get on with our lives without feeling bound in any way. But if we want a
relationship with the one we have sinned against, then forgiveness takes
on a deeper significance. First, there is a recognition that our sin has
caused hurt and damage, and that the person who forgives us is giving up
the right to receive compensation, as it were. That is a costly thing to
do; yet without it there can be no rebuilding of the relationship.
(Unless of course compensation is paid in full - but in these cases it
usually means the offender receiving equivalent injury, hardly the best
way of rebuilding a relationship.) Secondly, there is a recognition that
the relationship needs to be worked on: it won't 'be all right' by
itself. We need to learn to trust each other, and to be completely
honest with each other. This too, is costly.

Christians see that whenever we sin against someone, we also sin against
God, and that is the primary relationship that needs to be rebuilt. The
cost of forgiveness has to be paid by the one doing the forgiving - and
Jesus paid that price on the cross. It was not an easy option for him.
Nor is receiving God's forgiveness an easy option for us: we need to
work at the relationship from our side, learning to trust both God's
love and his will, and to respond appropriately. Forgiveness does not
mean life carries on as if nothing has happened. There are often
consequences to our sin which cannot be avoided. (2 Samuel 12:13,14.)
But with God's forgiveness our relationship with him can grow. Without
his forgiveness, there is no relationship, and no hope. Without a desire
for a growing relationship with God, we cannot expect to receive his
forgiveness.

A second issue (briefly): should religion and politics be mixed? I'm
always surprised that people even ask this question, for it shows little
insight into religion. A person's religion is the source of their
values, and their values determine their decisions and actions. Our
values can't be compartmentalised so that we have different values for
different areas of our lives - any that can be switched on or off are
not really our values. Our religion affects the whole of our life, and
if we are political beings, our religion has to affect our politics.
From another angle, if Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and
on earth, he must be interested in politics and his servants are right
to be involved.