I believe this to be one of the most important concepts to a Christ follower. I believe that this one of those things that is close to God’s heart. He is the Ultimate Forgiver. Forgiveness is when you lay down or let go of offenses and hurt that someone else has caused you. It is canceling a debt that is owned to you. I’ve been on both sides of forgiveness and either side is a struggle. To be forgiven is tough because I’m clearly aware of how much forgiveness I’ve just been blessed with. Being the one who forgives is tough unless I really grasp just how much the Lord forgives me. Jesus has some clear teaching on forgiveness. Check this out…
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[h] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35 NIV)
Forgiveness is at the heart of my faith. The Lord forgives me of my sin and my mistakes – How can I not practice forgiveness to someone who wrongs me. I’m not a doormat; I’m a door holder. I know when I’m being used and abused. While I’m forgiving, it does not mean that you can continue to hurt me. When Jesus is speaking of forgiveness, I can see grace woven thorough His teaching. As a follower of Jesus, I must grasp this concept early on in my journey. If I understand who I would be without Jesus, it’s easier for me to forgiven someone else who doesn’t yet understand that concept. I believe that Jesus is also teaching that forgiveness for His followers is not and option or add-on. It’s a core part of following Him. If I come to terms with how much I’ve been forgiven, then forgiving others is a piece of cake.
Pressing On!
Dwayne