Forgiveness

Things happen in our lives that we sometimes allow to eat at us and bring us down, emotionally and physically.  Left unchecked, these “things” can cause us to blow a fuse (anger), become depressed, and affect our physical health.  Most of it can be avoided if we just follow the teachings in the Bible. 

One of my acquaintances recently passed away and I was told the church had standing room only at the funeral.  I was also told that there were some family members missing.  One from out of state because of another funeral; another was sick herself; but one was missing because he and his brother had a falling out some years ago.  Either one or both failed to make things right before my acquaintance’s time was up.  What a shame; the failure of forgiveness was cremated that day.  It is also eating a hole in the heart of another.  Matthew 6:14-15 says,  “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  

Forgiveness matters so much to God that he forbid sacrifices when there was conflict with others.  Matthew 5:23-24 states, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

He is basically saying, Go make things right with your brothers and sisters.  I want nothing from you if your heart is not right when offering the sacrifice.  I want nothing from you if you have caused another brother or sister to stumble. 

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

Luke 17:3-4 says, “So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.

Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

In the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor, Matthew 18:21-22 says, “Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”  “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

The 70×7 expression is symbolic for infinity; Christians are called to forgive an infinite number of time because that is the number of time they are forgiven by God; when a Christian fails to forgive, it becomes inconsistent with the infinite forgiveness of the Lord.

We play around with forgiveness way too much.  Sometimes we even use it as a means to torment.  People; God doesn’t like ugly.  If there is someone in your life that you have not forgiven for whatever reason; it’s time.  You don’t have to be best friends with them or welcome them into your home, but forgive them.  Feel the weight you’ve been carrying released from you and feel a peace that is beyond understanding.  God cares.

He don’t want no mess at the altar

He don’t want no mess in His temple

He don’t want no mess among His people.

Brothers and sisters, it’s time to clean up.  It’s time to do things the right way.  It’s time to live our lives the way God intended.  It’s time, to love.