PASTOR JACK'S THOUHTS AUGUST 4, 2009
"FORGIVE.......WHY?"
That is a question we often think but most of the time don't express. Jesus talked often about forgiveness! He made some very bold statements about it. He commanded that we forgive!
There are really two sides to forgiveness. We need to consider both sides. First there is the importance of forgiving others when they have wronged us. Then there is the importance of receiving forgiveness from others when they apologize. We really never think much about the second one.
1) Forgiving others is important because in the first place, Jesus commanded that we do it. When others have hurt us and spoken harmfully about us we must make peace in our hearts about that.
The first thing we need to do is pray to God and ask Him to help us with the situation. Perhaps what the person said was unintentional so we must consider what they said or did and talk to God about it. Then go and talk to the offending person about their actions or words. Go in a spirit of love and tell them that you were offended. Then demonstrate an attitude of forgiveness to them.
2) Receiving forgiveness is another important issue. When you have offended someone you must be ready and willing to talk with that person and accept the fact that you hurt them. When they tell you that they forgive you, realize that it took a lot of courage for them to confront you. The world's way would be to never be your friend again or not speak to you but God's way is to make it right and accept one another.
The first words Jesus spoke on the cross were, "Father, forgive them because they don't know what they are doing!" Those words literally sealed our salvation. He told the Father that He was dying for them and all of us and His last and eternal request was that they and we would be forgiven by the Father. Praise God! Jesus was willing to forgive us even when our sins crucified Him. He forgave us in advance and now all we must do is to repent of our sins and receive His gracious forgiveness.
Freed and Forgiven,
Pastor Jack Jack L. Martin |
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