FORGIVENESS
The Psalmist wrote, “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sins” (Ps. 85:2). Forgiveness is not always easy. Can the families of those who were recently slain in Aurora, CO forgive the one who took the lives of their loved ones? Can a wife/husband forgive a mate who has committed fornication against them? Is it hard for a Christian to forgive someone who has sinned against them? Perhaps someone has gossiped or made some unkind remark.
Forgiveness is needed in every realm of our lives. In our families, in our congregations and in our communities. Remember Jane Fonda who aided and encouraged the enemy while her own countrymen were being killed. What about those who were tortured and killed at Auschwitz, Germany?
Go back 2000 years ago. The scene is Golgotha. Christ has been ridiculed, spat upon, a crown of thorns placed upon his head, beaten, made to carry his cross and finally nailed to that cross by the enemy. “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Mt. 26:56). No help from his closest companions, as a matter of fact, one of them cursed and denied even knowing him (Mt. 26:69-75). Yet on the cross Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Lk. 23:34). Fifty days after Peter denied Jesus he was allowed to preach the first gospel sermon and usher in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. He opened the doors. Folks, that’s forgiveness.
“All we like sheep have gone astray…” (Isa. 53:6). “There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Rom. 3:23). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Each of us has been guilty of aiding and abetting the enemy, the devil. When we repent, we are forgiven (Acts 2:38). What a glorious thought! Consider this – my forgiveness is not dependent upon man. God forgives.
Finally, Jesus said, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt. 6:12). My forgiveness from God is dependent upon my forgiveness of others. Paul put it this way, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). I refuse to let the door of heaven be closed to me by refusing to forgive.