Over 2000 years ago Jesus Christ nailed
to the cross after being beaten, mocked, spat upon, and having a crown of
thorns placed on His head. The sins of the whole world placed on Him.
I believe He felt and experienced that
sin in a way that was beyond horrific and certainly impossible to describe...especially
since he knew no sin up until that point.
He was spotless. Free from guilt and shame.
Think about the guilt and shame you feel
when you have committed a sin...and I’m hoping you do.
Now think about bearing the guilt and
shame of the sins of the entire world.
Like I said...There are no words to
describe how horrific this experience must have been for Him.
And to think...He willingly went through all of that pain and agony.
He even said... “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” –
Luke 23:34
What would you have said
if you were in His place??
Would forgiveness be the
first thing that crossed your mind?
Jesus understood His
purpose and that included Him giving His life for the forgiveness of our sin.
So let me ask you some
questions...
Are you harboring
unforgiveness towards someone?
Are you refusing to
extend forgiveness to someone because you don’t feel like they deserve it?
Did you or do you
deserve the forgiveness that is extended to you through Jesus’ death on the
cross?
It’s not a matter of
what we or they deserve.
Forgiveness is not
something you earn...it is a gift.
It is also something
that we are commanded to do.
The Parable of the Unforgiving
Servant
“21 Then Peter came to Him
and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven
times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of
heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24
And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed
him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his
master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he
had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down
before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27
Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him,
and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow
servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him
by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow
servant fell down at his feet[d] and
begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’[e] 30 And
he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31
So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very
grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then
his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I
forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not
also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34
And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he
should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of
you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” –
Matthew 18
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not,
and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:37-38
Forgiveness is placing judgment into
God’s hands and freeing ourselves from the bitterness that can poison our
hearts.
Asking for Forgiveness.
Maybe you need to seek forgiveness from someone.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your
gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something
against you, 24 leave
your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then
come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
When we approach God we
need to make sure that all is well and that we have reconciled our wrong doings
with others.
Don’t let pride keep you
from making things right or at least attempting to make things right.
Receiving Forgiveness
Like I
said...forgiveness is a gift.
It is a gift that we
must give... and receive.
Maybe you don’t have a
difficult time extending forgiveness to others but you struggle with receiving forgiveness.
It’s just as important
for you to receive forgiveness as it
is for you to give it.
Christ died so that you could be forgiven. Not just
others...but you as well.
“I, even I, am he who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake, and
remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25
“13 When you were dead in your sins and in the
uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive
with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the
charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he
has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having
disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing
over them by the cross.” – Colossians 2:13-15
Don’t dishonor Him by not
receiving that forgiveness.
Don’t hold on to the
guilt and shame that He bore for you on the cross.
He wants you to be free.
He came to this earth so
that you could receive that freedom.
All of that being
said...Giving, asking for, or receiving
forgiveness isn’t always easy but it is possible. God can and will empower us
when He knows we are seeking to do His will.
Resolution #7 – My Forgivness
I will
forgive those who have wronged me
And reconcile
with those I have wronged.
Reading for May 18th: Pages 145-162 (My
Integrity)
