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| Forgiveness |
| To forgive is to treat as though the offense was not committed-to declare that we will not harbor malice or treat unkindly, but that the matter shall be burried and forgotten. |
| Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you, and persecute you; This is the most inspiring piece of morality ever given to man. Has it appeared unreasonable and absurd to some? It has. And why? Because it is natural to man to avenge himself, and plague those who plague him; and he will always find an abundance of excuses for his conduct, and feel justified because of the repeated evils he receives from others; for men are naturally hostile to each other. God's Word says that when someone is cruel to us, or someone makes themselves our enemy, we need to love them. When people curse us, act evil towards us or talk about us, we're suppose to bless them. We are to do good to them that hate us and pray for them which persecute us. If someone hates you be loving to them, pray for those who show anomosity toward you and strive to cause you pain. When somebody treats us badly, we are not to strike back, but we are to pray for that person asking God to help them change. The best example we can look at is Jesus Christ because we need to be more like him. Luke 23:33-34 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do... Jesus Christ went through the most horrible beating, torture and humiliation, he was beaten so severely that he was not recognizable as a human. All punishment and indignity to him was without reason. But what was on his mind when he was hanging on the tree: He said, "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." All he was thinking about was forgiveness for the people that were doing this to him and his love for them. He wasn't angry with them for what they were doing or had done; No! He prayed to God for them to be forgiven because they know not what they do. 1 Peter 2:21-23 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps: "Christ also suffered for us" And left us the example of his meekness and gentleness; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again. You cannot expect to fare better than your master; imate his example and his Spirit shall comfort and sustain you. 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously: "Who did no sin" He was abused and suffered, but not on account of any evil he had either done or said. In deed and word he was immaculate (spotless), yet he was exposed to sufferung. Jesus Christ knew that the judgement was God's: that God is the righteous judge, and that he needed to do was forgive and love. We need to walk in the steps of Christ and to forgive as he forgave. Have you every been in a situation where, you knew someone who lied to you constantly; and you forgave him/her numerous times, but they continued to lie to you again and again. Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then came Peter to him [Jesus Christ], and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 23 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Seventy times seven is 490. Does that mean you forgive someone up to 490 times and then at 491 no more? No. God is trying to make a point here. He's saying not seventy times will you forgive someone, but seventy times seven. He is stressing the point that you need to just keep forgiving. verses 23-27 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account (settled accounts with) of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay (could not pay), his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had (everything he possessed), and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him (canceling) the debt. The servant apologized to his master and said just be patient and I'll pay you back the debt. Please don't sell me, my family and everything I own, just please give me time and I will repay you. His master was so moved by the servants pleading that he forgave him the debt. Verse 28-30 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. He, the fellowservant, asked him the same thing he had asked his master "please be patient with me and I will pay you all." But the servant would not forgive his fellowservant. Verses 31-34 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due him. He didn't come out well in the end, obviously, because he did not follow the example set by the master and forgive his fellowservant. The goodness and indulgence of God toward us is the pattern we should follow in our dealings with others. Verse 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts [that is, not merely in words, but really and truly feel and act toward him as if he had not offended you)] forgive not one his brother their trespasses. God is saying that we definitely need to forgive each other. He is saying that forgiveness comes from our hearts. Forgiveness has to be in our heart and not just in our words. Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. By this is meant, that when a man asks for forgiveness, we are cordially and forever to pardon the offense; we are to declare our willingness to forgive him. If he does not ask for forgiveness, yet we are still to treat him kindly; not to harbor malice, not to speak ill of him, to be ready to do him good, and be always prepared to declare him forgiven when he asks it, and if we are not ready and willing to forgive him; we are assured that God will not forgive us. So you have tried and tried but cannot find forgiveness in your heart, ask God for the strength. Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart [the rock on which my heart relies], and my portion forever. We need to recognize that God is our strength and we can't do it ourselves, we need to look to God to help us through it. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart [that his heart might be made pure; that his affections and feelings might be made right], O GOd; and renew a right spirit in me. He prays for a heart that would be firm in the purpose of virtue; that would not yield to temptation; that would carry out holy resolutions; that would be stedfast in the service of God. When we feel ourselves holding a grudge against someone, or when we feel that we don't want to forgive someone for anything, we need to go to God and say help me with this. Help me get my heart set where it needs to be and forgive this person. God Bless and strengthen you and help you to walk in His love. May He teach you the truth of having a kind and tender heart and may you walk as Christ walked in meekness and gentleness and put on his heart of forgiveness and patience. Amen |