![]() ![]() He told stories about forgiveness-the judge who forgave a very large debt of a man, who was not willing to forgive another man a small debt owed him. Jesus said that if someone hit us, we should offer him the other cheek. To learn to expect nothing in return is not natural but supernatural-divine Holy Spirit power working through our weak selves. However, healing comes when we bow our knee and our will to actually forgive someone. Anger is an emotion that God gave to us to feel the pain of wrong relationships. To truly understand Jesus, to worship Him from a grateful heart, requires that we learn to forgive as He has forgiven us. He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. Truth is, Christ died for hostile people-while they were rebelling and acting out in utter selfishness, He gave his life to save them. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," we read in Romans 8. Yet, it is the way of Jesus-the supernatural way of the Spirit in our lives to extend forgiveness and unconditional love. It is natural to want to take revenge, or even to justify our own position and way of looking at an offense to justify lack of forgiveness. įorgiving another person who has hurt us, damaged our reputation, acted in a vindictive way, who has continually been mean spirited or abused us in some way, is one of the most difficult practices to exercise. 70 times 7-in other words, you must forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive. ![]() ![]() Peter wanted to quantify forgiveness, like we all desire to do! He was willing to be noble and forgive someone, but after all, he thought there surely must be a limit! Perhaps 7 is the number we should forgive, Lord? He asked with a self-justifying heart. Yet, forgiveness and humility was a topic constantly on the heart of Jesus. It is not logical to forgive someone who has offended us, but it is supernatural-it can only come from walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. In a world where culture gives us every kind of excuse to divorce, to abandon, to hold a grudge, to become a victim of a difficult life, to gossip, to criticize, the practice of forgiveness stands out like a beacon of light for a defense of Christianity. As we love Christ, He leads us to give grace and forgiveness. We should learn to be those who love the best, because we are those who give the most grace, and have been given the most grace. That is why forgiveness is so very essential to the message of Christ. Unless we learn to give these wounds into the file drawer of heaven, to allow Christ to take these burdens of heart for us, we will be overwhelmed by a shadow of bitterness, anger or disappointment. Or we will be sorely disappointed by many people. No matter how hard any of us try, we will always always be flawed and eventually fall short of someone's expectations and disappoint those who love us. We break someone else's toy, so to speak. We are selfish and want the "best or biggest piece of cake. And, all of us" make mistakes and act in immature ways. This a picture of our broken world and the fallenness of people.Īll of us will be offended by many people in our life-time. A woman whose husband is addicted to pornography or has had an affair a parent or relative who has been abusive a friend who has rejected kids who have rejected or harmed our children, a pastor or leader who has fallen to immorality and the list goes on and on. ![]() So often, I find more and more people in my life who have been emotionally injured by those who call themselves "Christians" but do not live by biblical principles. I rehearse it over and over again in my mind."Ĭhristians disappointing Christians common in this day and time. I just can't seem to get over all the ways she hurt me. I have tried to forgive her, but my bitterness against her takes up so much brain space. "I was so gullible because she quoted Bible verses and acted like she was a strong Christian. Tears streaming down her face, my friend said, "I can't seem to let go of all the things my "supposed" friend did to hurt me. While visiting overseas, I cherished time with a friend from my missionary years. Way # 8 We forgive one another, covering an offense with love when wronged or hurt.īear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. ![]()
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