- As Christians, we're called to forgive

whether it's requested or not because

we believe it benefits thegiver more than the receiver.

It's a principle thatapplies across the board.

When you add in generations of oppression,

however, the dynamicproves to be different.

The wrongful death ofGeorge Floyd is now seared

into the consciousness of America.

Cellphone video of the incident.

- I can't breathe.

- I can't breathe, I can't breathe!

- [Eric] Led to a moralexplosion around the world

and became the catalyst for seeming

cultural change in the United States.

- Black lives matter!

- [Eric] But it had been mounting.

David Bailey specializesin racial reconciliation.

- Race relations inAmerica stays at a simmer

and then as an incident that comes in

it takes it up to a boilingpoint but it's always there.

- [Eric] In this case, the boiling point

followed closely behind the deaths

of jogger Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia

and 26-year-old Breonna Taylor,

shot by Louisville Policeserving a no-knock warrant.

Pastor Bill Haley'sCoracle ministry focuses

on spiritual development and action.

He says forgivenessshould be a part of any

ongoing cultural shift,especially among Christians.

- I would like us to get to a place

where white Americansare constantly asking

for forgiveness from black Americans

for what we've done and for what we do

and for what we allow andsometimes what we even support.

- [Eric] He's quick to point out,

though, that unsolicited forgiveness

has been a norm for black Americans.

- In fact, I think theblack church is the teacher

for the country on what Jesus meant

when he said forgive other people.

They've had a lot of practice.

- [Eric] One of the biggestexamples came last year

in a Texas courtroom from ayoung man named Brandt Jean.

- I forgive you and I knowif you go to God and ask Him,

He will forgive you.

- [Eric] Those words came about a year

after Dallas Police OfficerAmber Guyger killed his brother,

Botham Jean, in his own apartment.

After working a longshift, she had somehow

mistaken Jean's apartment for hers

and shot him becauseshe said she was afraid.

Brandt Jean then went even further.

- I don't know if it's possible,

but can I give her a hug, please?

Please?

- [Judge] Yes.

- When we watched BrandtJean offer forgiveness

in that courtroom, we'rewatching God enter the room

because forgiveness likethat is not a human act.

Forgiveness is Ph.D. level Christianity

because it's so very difficult.

To be called to forgive means

that something of valuehas been taken from you.

- [Eric] While Haley sawthe act as honorable,

some were infuriated.

- Because black people arealways being asked to forgive,

and it's a lot to forgive.

- [Bailey] I think too often,particularly in conservative

Christian spaces, we can be very forgetful

of the 500-year history of our country.

- [Eric] Bailey says anexpectation for blacks

to forgive goes back to slavery.

On top of that, he says,justice isn't just.

- If that black man killedthe white police officer

because he got confusedabout where he was,

that was not going to be a thing.

That brother is going to jailfor the rest of his life,

might have got the electric chair.

- [Eric] In this case,the judge sentenced Guyger

to 10 years in prison.

- It seems so hard tohave a police officer

suitably punished for an action

that is egregious andclearly over the line.

10 years seems merciful.

- [Eric] Four officers have been charged

in George Floyd's death,

one of them with second-degree murder.

But a trial has yet to happen.

For Christians, thesesituations present a challenge.

- When you're a Christian,it just adds a new level

of complexity because you've got to see

both the sin and the effects of sin,

the consequences of sin.

But then you also haveto see the opportunities

for grace and forgiveness in God.

- [Eric] It's not somethingMarquis Jefferson wanted

to do in October of last year.

- I don't want no hug.

- [Eric] A Texas police officer shot

and killed his daughter, Atatiana,

at home as she played video games.

Soon after, Jeffersonmade this declaration.

- That's my one and only daughter.

I'll never forget this.

- [Eric] Sadly, Jeffersondied just one month

after his daughter was killed.

He died from a heart attack,literally a broken heart.

- Unforgiveness is not the answer,

not showing grace is not the answer.

But exercising grace andexercising forgiveness

without truth is also not the answer.

- Of course, from a legal perspective,

whether or not a person gives or

receives forgiveness has nothing to do

with how one is punishedbut it can make a difference

in the court of public opinion

and most certainly in the eyes of God.

Eric Philips, CBN News.