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Forgiveness

We often are taught through sermons, Sunday school, and our own reading of the Bible about forgiveness. This word holds such incredible power. Power to heal, set free, renew. I guess that is why Jesus taught on it and the importance of it. It’s something that we know we must do, yet somehow we often just don’t want to.

We were in Luke tonight in our Wednesday night class and were discussing about loving your enemies among other things. Someone was bringing up about forgiveness. I spoke up and told the class how I often tell people that hate destroys. There are times when you may feel justified in hating someone. This world may tell you that you have every right in hating and seeking revenge. But no matter what this person may have done to you, you are not justified in hating anyone. We are commanded over and over to love our neighbor….. To love our enemies….. To turn the other cheek…..and on and on. It is something that every Christian knows they must do, but so often it just isn’t done until it has consumed us and damaged us and others.

I told the class that when I was a child, I was a very mild tempered and forgiving person. But in my adult life when I let the world influence me, I became a mean and untrusting and unforgiving person. That when I became strong in the eyes of the world, I actually became the weakest I have ever been in my life. I lost who I had been becoming for God and in turn lost my way. But when I came back on my knees to God, and saw the depths of His love and forgiveness, then I saw just how far I need to go in my daily life to show forgiveness. I recently told my husband that I ask myself a question when I have been wronged…. If I react in bitterness is it worth it? Is it worth losing a relationship with a friend or loved one? Is it worth showing a lost person that I am just as mean as someone that is unsaved? The answer is always no. So…. I let it go. It’s not easy, but doing the right thing is rarely doing the easy thing.

There is such a benefit to “taking the high road”. Not only is it the right thing to do through the word, it is also the right thing to do for yourself. I was not made to bear the load of hatred and bitterness, and neither are you. Our bodies are not made that way. If we would just remember who created us in the first place, we would probably realize that if we will live by His word we would be happier and healthier than we ever imagined. Haven’t we learned by now how negatively stress affects us? Can’t we see how freeing it is when we use the power of forgiveness?

Now I’m not saying that I never get angry. Good grief that would be almost impossible. But I am saying that I try to step back and think through before I react. If we will often just take a few breaths and think of the effect that words have, we would be much better off. If we would just think of the price that was paid for our forgiveness …. The ransom for our redemption…. How can we not show what has been shown to us?

Love holds the key to forgiveness. Forgiveness holds the key to peace. Peace holds the key to joy. The chain reaction goes on and on. God Himself has shown us the greatest love of all. Now let’s be the “peculiar people” we are supposed to be and love Jesus by loving others and ourselves enough to forgive.