On Black Church Massacre Anniversary, Sen. Tim Scott Calls America to Forgive

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott says on the sixth anniversary of the day Dylann Roof murdered nine people and wounded 13 others in a racist rampage at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, believers have an obligation and responsibility to “use our resources and talents in a way that serves the least of these.”

In a recent interview with Star Parker, the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, Scott says despite this horrendous tragedy Charleston has ever known, from it came the “greatest act of unification you’ll ever see in this state’s history.”

In fact, one of the surviving family members of the shooting recalled the truth found in Romans 8:28, saying, “Forgiveness is the only way forward.”

And of this incredible faith, Scott says, “It’s impossible not to hear the message by those nine family members and not be hopeful.”

But, he continues, “it’s also impossible for such a message of forgiveness and unconditional love not be embraced by a nation and a world hungry for the truth.”

The surviving family members provided the truth. Now it’s up to those who honor their legacy to ensure that truth is spread. When the truth needs to be spoken, especially about racial reconciliation, Scott has discovered “forgiveness is the beginning of healing and restoration from the inside out, not from the outside in.”

Scott shared how just days after the murder, the family members looked Roof in the eyes and said, “We forgive you.”

“Not only do we forgive you, but we see the ability to reconcile not you with us but you with God.”

In the fight for racial reconciliation, many would give up and say, “This is too hard.”

But Sen. Scott and the state of South Carolina are proof that forgiveness is not only possible, but absolutely necessary.

“Our nation wins when we recognize the fact that we all are sinners saved by grace, we are flawed individuals with an amazing promise,” Scott concludes. “In our future, the key for us is to recognize that to focus on it and do something about it, the most important thing you can do is deal with you, and then your family, then your community, then your city, then your state, then your nation.”

Watch Parker’s full interview with Sen. Scott here:

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