We
often refuse to forgive, because we are adamant about the fact that the person
who abused, insulted, and/or wounded us does not deserve forgiveness. That is
probably true, none of us deserve forgiveness for our intentional or unintentional
actions.
Yet,
while we were still sinner, God forgave us, and set an example for us in our
treatment of others (Romans 5:8). We all deserve hell, because we are filled
with sinful thoughts, words and behavior both of our own, and also inherited
from generations all the way back to Adam (Romans 5:12-22; Psalm 51:5; Job
14:4; 1st Corinthians 15:22).
There
is a "selfish" side to forgiveness. If we forgive others, this allows
God to forgive us; yet, if we refuse to forgive, we tie God's hands, and
prevent Him from being able to forgive us (Matthew 6:14). No one wants to
forfeit God's forgiveness.
Therefore,
it is wise on our part to quickly forgive those who insult or misuse us. We can
make every effort to live in harmony with others, and to conduct our behavior
from a spiritual perspective, rather than a personal one.
When
we refuse to forgive, we fall short of God's grace and a root of bitterness
springs up in our soul and affect others in our life, as well as eventually
crowding out the seeds of righteousness, which Jesus gives us at salvation
(Hebrews 12:14-15).
God's
Word encourages us to live with compassion for each other's meanness, foibles
and shortcomings, just as in Christ, God forgives us. This focus makes it
easier for us to forgive another's behavior and words toward us (Ephesians
4:32).
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us to erect boundaries between us and those people who are not safe;
yet to continue to show them compassion, and to respond to them with Your
unconditional, agape love (Matthew 5:44). Thank you for loving us
unconditionally.
Make
us a vessel of Your peace in this world full of strife and discord. Show us how
to heal the issues that lay between us and those who hurt us. We do not want
bitterness to boomerang back to us, and to stop our spiritual growth and hinder
our joy.
Thought
for the Day:
Forgiveness does not involve forgetting the slight or wound we received - the painful memory may visit us again and again; however, each time it comes back to our mind, we can choose to forgive, just as God chooses to forgive us.
Forgiveness does not involve forgetting the slight or wound we received - the painful memory may visit us again and again; however, each time it comes back to our mind, we can choose to forgive, just as God chooses to forgive us.
