Forgiving again

Forgiving is a core value for a christian. Just today I heard someone say to not forgive is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. I think a lot about race, perhaps it is because I am a white man married to a black woman. I spent approximately 12 to 15 years attending different Black congregations. I am beginning to think differently than I have in the past. Perhaps that is why I felt I was in God's will moving to the deep south.  Mississippi has probably the most racist past of any state in the Union. Back to the subject Forgiving. Regardless of what a white man did in the past, a black man must forgive. Regardless of how badly white men have treated Native Americans, taking their land and putting them on reservations, usually the poorest land available, the Native American must forgive to be right with God. The white man must also forgive. When people treat us like the abusers from the past, even though we weren't there and have tried to do right, we must still have a forgiving spirit. I think more than ever we were intended to be one race, but having different races sometimes brings out what is really in our hearts. I have heard many a word spoken in a black church that makes me think they still feel like we owe them something, they don't trust us. That does not show a forgiving spirit. Some will say well if a dog bites you, you don't want to be bitten again. That is not the same as what Christ taught, forgive 7 times 70. That does not mean 490 times and then you can develop a mean spirit. We must develop a forgiving spirit. If we forgive not then neither will Christ forgive us. I do not like to be put on the same level as racist whites from the past, but if someone looks at me like that, I must still forgive. If we keep separate races, are we really forgiving? John 17:21 "That they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." This is a verse out of a prayer Jesus prayed for us. That we may be one. I remember when I started on this journey, it was because of something said in a Promise Keepers meeting, urging us Christian men  to cross racial boundaries. That is where it started for me. I tried to do just that. I believe God has developed me way beyond that point. I now feel freely to state what I think, like blacks and other minorities must also forgive us White men. I saw saw no difference when I was part of a black church, they needed God just as much as a white man. Many but not all in a black church were just as racist. Just as imperfect as any place else I have been. I believe Churches like Church for All Nations in Tacoma that try to be diverse and serve everybody are on the right path. Hope Church is also striving for that type of unity among believers. I am reminded of the praying hands on the bulletin from Second Baptist Church in Everett WA. One hand was white and the other black. We must strive for unity among all believers. Second Baptist was the first black church I ever attended and became a member of.  They treated me just like one of them. I was on their trustee board and really felt like I belonged even though much of the time I was the only white person there. There were times when I actually forgot I was the only white person there. How do we get past the past if we still expect to be reimbursed for the evil done to us in the past. If I was treated badly in a previous marriage and do not forgive, is that any different? All of us have suffered wrong in some fashion, but we must still forgive, whatever the wrong we suffered. God bless, LVZ.