Just my Thoughts: On Les Miserables

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I had the opportunity to watch the three versions of Les Miserables: the 1998 movie, the actual play when they came to Vancouver and the latest movie adaption using the musical genre. I like this movie a lot as it has many great virtues and one clear message of forgiveness. Legalism without grace is a deadly trap that no one must place himself or herself that can also lead to various obsessions like what happened to Inspector Javert. His legalistic persona created an obsession to pursue without fail Jean Valjean that led him to his own peril and despair even after the person he was vehemently pursuing extended him grace. He saw grace and genuine change while he had a heart engulfed with obsession without grace.

On the other hand, Jean Valjean experienced forgiveness from the Bishop when he was caught after stealing and received a second chance in life, as a result. He pursued life having this experience until he reached out to another person and extended the same favor to her daughter. Altogether, Les Miserables showed a clear distinction between harsh legalism and unmerited grace and favor. The former places one under bondage and the latter experiences genuine freedom from anger and hopelessness.

May we learn from this movie the timeless truth of grace and forgiveness in order to live without baggage in our journey of life. Let’s remember that God never stops forgiving us whenever we asked Him: “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]” (1 John 1:9, AMP).

The language spoken in heaven by the angels and the redeemed is the language of forgiveness. It will be the only language spoken there. No other language will be understood. It will be spoken by the cherubim and the seraphim and the whole angelic host as they praise God, the author of forgiveness and of eternal salvation. It will be spoken by all the redeemed as they greet one another on the banks of the River of Life and gather round the throne of the Lamb and sing their song unto him who loved them and washed them from their sins. But no one can learn that language after he gets to heaven. It must be learned here upon earth—in this world, and in this life. That is what Jesus taught us when he taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Just my thoughts…..

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