Do you need to forgive someone? Anyone? Do you? If so, understand this. Real forgiveness is unconditional. There’s no attachment to it. We don’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. We can’t bargain for it. Forgiveness is never based on a promise to never do it again. Again, it is simply unconditional.
Secondly, forgiveness is a big deal. The fact that you or someone that you love has been hurt is a big deal. The fact that the issue is still with you is a big deal. The fact that you may not have already dealt with the issue and moved on with forgiveness is a big deal. To minimize forgiveness is to cheapen forgiveness. Forgiveness is a big deal. If you do not believe that, you do not have any comprehension of what the cross of Calvary is all about.
In spite of the biggest of the task, we have to forgive. Consider the alternative. An eye for an eye becomes a leg for a leg and, eventually, a life for a life. No matter what our weapons are -- words, clubs, arrows, guns, bombs, nuclear missiles -- revenge locks us into an escalation of violence.
GHANDI once observed: "If we practice and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless." The only way out is forgiveness!
It is my opinion that if Jesus had not forgiven His murderers, He would have died and simply would have been forgotten.
Therefore, leave it to Him:
If you can’t forgive, God can. Release the hurt up to Him and let Him forgive though you. He can and He will.
The Redeemed Team
Secondly, forgiveness is a big deal. The fact that you or someone that you love has been hurt is a big deal. The fact that the issue is still with you is a big deal. The fact that you may not have already dealt with the issue and moved on with forgiveness is a big deal. To minimize forgiveness is to cheapen forgiveness. Forgiveness is a big deal. If you do not believe that, you do not have any comprehension of what the cross of Calvary is all about.
In spite of the biggest of the task, we have to forgive. Consider the alternative. An eye for an eye becomes a leg for a leg and, eventually, a life for a life. No matter what our weapons are -- words, clubs, arrows, guns, bombs, nuclear missiles -- revenge locks us into an escalation of violence.
GHANDI once observed: "If we practice and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless." The only way out is forgiveness!
It is my opinion that if Jesus had not forgiven His murderers, He would have died and simply would have been forgotten.
- The key to His grand victory was His grand forgiveness!
- Without it, Jesus would have been like anyone else.
- Forgiving them made it possible for Him to forgive us.
- He showed us an undeniable lesson that forgiveness under any circumstance with God's help -- is possible!
Therefore, leave it to Him:
- He loves everyone involved. He has proved that.
- He knows the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
- He is faithful and just.
- Then too, Abraham said, “The judge of all the earth will do right.” He will.
If you can’t forgive, God can. Release the hurt up to Him and let Him forgive though you. He can and He will.
The Redeemed Team
