CORRIE TEN BOOM (1892-1983)
“You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk,” he was saying. “I was a guard in there.”
No, he did not remember me.
“I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us.”
“But since that time,” he went on, “I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, …” his hand came out, … “will you forgive me?”
And I stood there — I whose sins had every day to be forgiven — and could not. Betsie had died in that place — could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?
It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
For I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us.
“If you do not forgive men their trespasses,” Jesus says, “neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” … [Matthew 6:14,15]
And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion — I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.
“Jesus, help me!” I prayed silently. “I can lift my hand, I can do that much. You supply the feeling.”
And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.
“I forgive you, brother!” I cried. “With all my heart!”
For a long moment we grasped each others hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then.
Corrie died on April 15, 1983 in Orange, California, on her ninety-first birthday.
*Ravensbrück concentration camp
This was a really great read, I am very glad I came across your site.
Some years ago I watched a tape by Dobson with an interview with Jeffery Dahlmer, the former sodomite cannibal of national fame….[ He sodomized, murdered, and ate 17 or so young men....] The interview was in prison , of course, but there sat Dahlmer as clear as a bell, with peace and joy witnessing his conversion and salvation. It was one of the most awesome and impacting testimonies that I have ever seen. I couldn’t wait to share it with the small church I met with.
As soon as I did, a Baptist fellow rose up, and screamed, “I’d put a stake in that vampire’s heart before he could spit!”, or close to it. He was angry, and violent, and in my face…[ He was 6'8 inches tall, and big!..]
I told him that we too were the same. It did not go over well, but I was not afraid. How deep does the blood of Jesus flow, and to what depth of depravity does it cease? I know he saved me…and I know my secrets. I behaved wickedly, and yet he loved, and forgave.
You cannot really be a Christian unless you see this, and act upon it. It is at the very heart of the Cross, and our faith. This was edifying…. thanks, PJ for posting this. If we endure, we’ll talk to Corrie about this soon.
Wonderful comment Tom…
Amen. me too.
I’m still amazed that he called me to himself and then saved me Tom; cause i sure didn’t deserve it. He knew it all, and still he loved me.
Praise the name of Jesus.
Praise the name of Jesus!
Psa 47:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psa 47:2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
Psa 47:3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
Psa 47:4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
Psa 47:5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Psa 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Psa 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
Psa 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
Psa 47:9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Psa 72:2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!
Psa 72:3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!
Psa 72:4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
Psa 72:5 May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
This is a beautiful story, and an illustration of the power of God’s grace. I think all of us have known someone whose life has been wrecked because they allow bitterness and unforgiveness to consume them (even if the person they refuse to forgive has moved on in life).
I’m especially intrigued by this quote from Corrie Ten Boom, “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” Still, when she cried out to the Lord for help to forgive her previous tormentor, God supplied all the grace she needed and she was able to express forgiveness with all her heart.
May we also look to the Lord to supply His grace for all that He has called us to do. And, as Tom’s comment reminds us, may we never forget how undeserving we are of God’s forgiveness toward us.