Have you noticed those who have the most to be forgiven are the ones who have the most trouble forgiving? Perhaps it is because they know, to what degree sins are possible. Perhaps it is because they have been there, done that, been to the pits themselves and know the capabilities of a sin filled life. Maybe it’s because they have not asked forgiveness for themselves from God or from their fellowman. Perhaps it is because they have not even forgiven themselves.
I’ve found there have been times down through the years I have had to pray really hard asking God to give me the strength to forgive. There have been times I have had to pray asking God to forgive me. Then there have been moments I have had to ask another fellow man to forgive me of some wrong.
Jesus was a man without sin, though He often pointed out man’s sins to him. Not to embarrass them or be vindictive but in order for them to seek forgiveness, be forgiven, and receive eternal life. (Ephesians 1, 7-10) He told them to go and sin no more. He did not bring up their sins the next time he passed by them or was in their company. No He forgave the sinner and thus forgot their transgressions. He did not delight in making them repeatedly feel the guilt or relive the pain of sinful acknowledgement. No God is a merciful God and thus Jesus was a compassionate Savoir. He eventually died on the cross that we may always and forever know our sins have been forgiven. We only need to seek His face and repent of our sins.
It’s not always as easy as it sounds, to forgive; for we often times choose to hang onto grudges. We want God’s forgiveness and we want those who have sinned against us to seek our forgiveness, but we want to continue in our own complaining and bitterness. We like having our own pity parties and rally around others dishonesty towards us.
Why do we often times keep bringing up the transgressions of those who have hurt us? Why do we never let them forget what they have done to us? Why is it we delight in seeing them squirm? Why is it we find pleasure in making them relive the offences against us, pointing it out not only to them but to all that will listen? The Bible tells us if we will forgive men when they sin against us, our Heavenly Father will also forgive us. It also tells us if we won’t, then He will not. (Matthew 6, 14)
I think before we speak twice of another’s wrongfulness against us we should ask ourselves, “Would I want Jesus to remember my sins and continually point them out to me, not letting me forget how I hung him on the cross? Would I want God each morning to reiterate when I arise, all the sins I have committed through out my life. Would I want Him to list them all on my bathroom mirror so I would never forget, placing them there so my family and every guest would see and be reminded time and again of my wrongful deeds?” Would I want my sins permanently etched on the back window of my car so all following me could be continuously reminded, or pasted on the front door of my home?
I think it is our family members who often are the bunt end of our hurtful words. We often keep bringing up their transgressions; it seems we find comfort in them being reminded. We fail to see that in bringing them down we are only belittling ourselves and reminding God of our own wrongfulness. We should think upon and put into practice the loving forgiveness that has been given to us by our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. We should wipe the slate clean and remember their sins no more, just as we would have them to do unto us, just as our Heavenly Father does. We should forgive seventy- seven times if necessary. (Matthew 18, 22)
I pray that I may not lay down my head at night to rest before I seek the forgiveness of both God and man. May I not keep pointing out another’s faults and sins against me; if God has forgiven them, then it is I who is sinning by failing to truly give them forgiveness. If God has forgotten, then shouldn’t I – would I want less?
Yes, we should be kind, forgiving and compassionate to each other just as Christ God has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4, 32) We should remember most assuredly, to also forgive even ourselves, after we have sought forgiveness. There is such peace in forgiving and being forgiven.
Betty King Writer