Forgiveness is an incredibly important part of the human experience. It is important for a persons mental health, emotional well being and spiritual experience.
Many Christians take serious their Masters’ command to forgive others 1Matthew 6:12-15 (NLT) and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. and think they have done a great job. Some even have – maybe even following some of this advice!
But even then – do they, do you, do WE, LOVE forgiving people or is it just something we try to do?!
That sounds absurd – what an incredibly high – unreachable – standard!
But that is the heart of our God. He doesn’t forgive under coercion, duress or with any reservation. Due to His character and His love, He actually loves to forgive us.
How incredible!
Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:7-8 (NLT)
Let’s be clear: We owe Him far more than thousands of rams! We have sinned against Him – we have broken His law, we have wronged His beloved people.
But instead of us trying to pay some price, He says:
“No I will send My Son to pay the price for your sin”
And, desfpitethe pain it caused Him, He loved to forgive us!
As we understand and experience this forgiveness, we should be able to offer forgiveness to those who have sinned against us – but can we love it? Can we love, enjoy, look forward to forgiving those who wrong us?
Reminding us of the most famous verses on love 2Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT), we are reminded that keeping a record of wrongs is not love. God shows us a glimpse of His character that there is a higher standard:
To look forward to, to love mercy!
Lord, please help us connect with Your heart of love. The heart that loves to forgive us, let it transmit into our own reality. May we learn to love to forgive those who wrong us. Please help us to be connected with You, our Father, so we can interpret correctly our place on this planet, in Your kingdom.
Footnotes:
- 1Matthew 6:12-15 (NLT) and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. - 2Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)