Today the subject in church was Forgiveness - 70 X 7 - from "THE PARABLE OF THE FORGIVEN SERVANT" in Matthew chapter 18.
We heard that there were three big objections to people forgiving:
1) "I can forgive, but I cannot forget."
2) "What do I do if the other person will not admit he/she was wrong?"
3) "Does forgiveness mean I have to let people walk all over me?"
Forgiveness. This is the last great difference between us and the world -- people who can easily forgive vs. those who don't care whether they forgive or not.
Because before you came to faith, having differences with people didn't bother you that much -- you could tear into somebody and not give a rip what they thought -- you could offend people left and right and sleep soundly that night. But when you're filled with Christ, relational chasms bother you. You think about them and they disrupt your routine until you deal with them via forgiveness.
It's a co-worker - it's a neighbor - it's a friend - it's a mother or father or child - it's a family member - but whoever it is, the bad feeling doesn't dissipate until you have expressed forgiveness. It is the way of the cross. You may as well get used to it. It's part of your walk now.
Think about how very much you've been forgiven by God. When you really start to wrap your brain around that, it will become much easier to forgive those who have offended you. Stack up YOUR offenses to God - all your wrong actions, wrong motives, wrong attitudes, wrong thoughts, wrong words -- ALL of them. Don't stop until you've listed every single one of them from the time you were born until now -- and then realize that God has forgiven them all. Every single one.
Then, go ahead and write down all the things people here have done to YOU that have been offensive and that you need to forgive. Compare the two lists. Which one is longer?
Don't answer that. I know the answer. Then how can we fail to forgive those who have hurt us when GOD has forgiven US for all our wrongdoings and offenses down throughout history. It just makes sense, doesn't it? Don't answer that. I know the answer.
"If you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins; your Heavenly Father will not forgive you." (Matt. 6)
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)
And be blessed.
5 comments:
Hi PK! Just wanted to know your thoughts on this...because it was one of the 'aha' moments that I had yesterday while working in the garden...do you think that the one that we should forgive the most can be ourselves?
ps: Love the blog!!!
I agree that for a lot of people, forgiving themselves is the hardest thing to do. And it's just as damaging as their inability to forgive others. Their inability to forgive impacts everyone around them, though they don't realize it. It's a good 'lesson' that you bring up. Thanks.
Good morning PK. A very important message and a difficult one to live up to. It is really not a suggestion, but a commandment. God very clearly lays out the consequences of not forgiving. Even when we pray the Lords Prayer we are reminding ourselves that we MUST forgive. Have a blessed day!
JW
I was challenged once, when I was having a difficult time forgiving someone (it was negatively impacting me BIG time) to look up and write down every verse that speaks of forgiveness. I think I ended up with over 150 verses. Some of them still stick in my head and that took place about 10 years ago. One thing I think people don't understand is: forgiveness is for you, not the other person. Lack of forgiveness just results in bitterness, which is like a poison to you - not good at all. Learning to forgive brings freedom and peace.
150 VERSES??
That is amazing. Thanks for the reinforcement on that.
Post a Comment