Forgiveness – The chief virtue of a Christian
Amazing Grace Ministry
Dear in Christ,
I hope and pray that this message finds you in good health and spirit.
Christianity is founded on Forgiveness. The Bible says, when Adam and Eve sinned, they didn't seek God, instead they were busy preparing aprons out of fig leaves to cover their shame. It was God who went in search of them. And why did God seek them? Because God loved them, just as HE loves us today. (Herein is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins – I John ch4v10)
Love has everything to do with Forgiveness. Love and Forgiveness are like two sides of a coin. Without love there is no forgiveness, and without forgiveness there is no love.
In the OT, we read that punishment against crimes was to retaliate likewise. "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth". But when Jesus came into the world, he gave a new rule. Jesus said "i.e. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you -Matthew ch5v44".
If you have tried, you will realize that forgiving someone, is not an easy job. The only way, we can achieve this, is by realizing the fact that because of our sins, we were once alienated from God, but it was the love and mercy of God that reconciled us to HIM through Jesus Christ. (I John ch4v10)
So "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another – I John ch4v11"
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven, Matthew ch5v48"
Jesus emphasized the importance of "Forgiveness" so much, that he included it in the prayer, he taught his disciples. It is mentioned "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors – Matthew ch6v12". As Christians we are required to practice forgiveness on others. In other words, we can never expect forgiveness from God, if we don't forgive others. Jesus narrated this through a wonderful parable. We can read about it in Matthew ch18v23-35. The parable is self explanatory. I hope you will read and benefit from it.
But then you may ask, how long should I forgive someone? That is a very good question, which Peter once asked Jesus. We can read about it in Matthew ch18v21. He said "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?" I think Peter would have tried implementing what Jesus said about loving the enemies, blessing those who curse us. Maybe he lost his patience., because, he felt his brother is taking advantage of him. So trying to find a way out of this, he asked Jesus this question. And I guess, to Peter, forgiving someone seven times, was fair enough.. But the reply from Jesus would have definitely surprised Peter and everyone present that day.
Jesus replied "I say not unto thee seven times, but until seventy times seven". That is to say, infinite times. Suppose, If you think (seventy times seven) 490 is a large number, and for the sake of discussion, let us assume that God uses that as a yardstick to measure our sin, I guess we won't live for more than 490 days, assuming that we will commit only 1 sin per day!
Now let us move on to the second question, which is "Up to what extent shall I forgive people?" "Shouldn't there be a limit?". I wish to direct your attention to Jesus our master, whose way of living, we Christians are supposed to follow.
The night when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, the Bible says, Jesus was mocked, scourged, spit upon, striped of his clothes, a crown of thorns was planted on his head. In addition to all these, he was forced to bear his own cross. We can now see Jesus nailed to the cross, blood oozing from various parts of his body. Jesus was physically and mentally exhausted from all that has happened to him. His disciples, who was with him for 3 years have deserted him, and Peter who said that "I will never forsake thee", denied him thrice.
As if all that was not enough, the people who passed by made fun of him and mocked at him. Jesus who comforted others, now had no one to comfort him. Jesus who healed other of their sickness, was now filled with terrible wounds. Jesus who fed others, was now thirsty and hungry.
What a pitiable situation!
If Jesus wanted, he could have miraculously come down from the cross. He could have rained fire on the people standing their. But no, his purpose was different, and he was all set to accomplish it. I remember one preacher saying, it was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross. It was the Love he had for his people, that held him to the cross.
And even in those moments, we see him utter gracious, loving, words to the people present that day. Continuing to give all respect to HIS Father (God), Jesus said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do".
And finally, don't think that forgiveness is the sign of weakness. Mahatma Gandhi, who highly regarded and valued the life of Jesus Christ, once said "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong"
So next time you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to forgive someone, just remember the hardships which Jesus faced and the words he said on the cross that day. And then pray for God to grant us an heart, so that we can say with Jesus "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do".
Have a blessed day in the Lord,
Amazing Grace Ministry
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