YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE

Forgiveness can become a dreaded word when you are the one to forgive someone who has hurt you. If it is someone who is not remorseful, then forgiveness turns into a bigger lump to swallow. When peter asked Jesus whether forgiving someone seven times was enough, he was being generous. To forgive a person seven times for having wronged you is very generous, far more generous than what most do. Yet, there was something wrong with that restriction. Jesus painted a different picture of forgiveness for peter to see – forgiveness is unlimited. The spirit of forgiveness does not measure and limit the number of times it will forgive. The spirit of forgiveness will tolerate being wronged and hurt time after time. Someone is bound to step on your toes. If you continue to keep the records of offenses, then you will soon have no one to talk with.

Forgiveness is necessary for good human relationship. It is not easy to forgive, yet it is possible and necessary to forgive. You just have to pray for God’s spirit of forgiveness to envelop you. Each time someone offends you, remember that you are a sinner and that you too offend God. If God should mark your guilt, you will not survive it. “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Christ our saviour” (Titus 3:5-6). If God can forgive you and give you His spirit, who are you not to forgive? You may have been robbed; you may have been disappointed or disgraced. It does not matter the offence, the simple response is “FORGIVE”. Read what Jesus says, “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father I heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.” (Mathew 6:14)