Forgiveness - the act of excusing a mistake or offense
What a meaningful word. It is another word that is quickly losing its impact
in our current world. I have heard so many people say, "I can forgive you,
but I can never forget." Or even a much more distressing statement, "I can
never forgive you for this!"
Thank the Lord we have so much information in the Bible on the subject
of forgiveness. It really shows you what the Christian heart is supposed
to be like. Remember all of those statements about love? Well, here is
where those statements hit the pavement running.
I think back to Jeremiah 31:34 - "... says the LORD. For I will forgive
their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
So we see how God forgives those who know Him and are obedient. And
we are supposed to take that example and apply it to our own lives. But,
it goes deeper than just saying, "Well, that is a lovely thought. I will try to
remember that."
Matthew 6:14-15 says,
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses. "
Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone,
forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your
trespasses. "
"Yeah, but you don't realize. This guy does this to me ALL THE TIME!"
Luke 17:3-4 says,
3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day
returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
We have information showing how God feels about forgiveness, and we know
that His mercy is astounding, but to know that He is looking at us and saying,
"If you are not willing to forgive, how can you expect Me to be willing to forgive you."
We need to pay more attention to the love involved in forgiveness.
"Yeah... but Mike, what this person has done to me is so bad. You just don't
understand."
Remember the story of Stephen in Acts 7? While being stoned and dying he said
these words, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” Wow! Where did he learn
such compassion? In Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not
know what they do.”
Following the example of Jesus has so many facets. We need to KNOW God,
so that we can begin to see what He expects from those who wear the name Christian.
Have a wonderful day!
