Forgiveness

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Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21-22)

Forgiveness is difficult for many to give, yet it is something which we all need. What we must ask of ourselves, is, if we are unable to forgive, then, how is it we expect to be forgiven? Perhaps part of the challenge is the realization that forgiveness is an act of love. We might be tempted to believe that we cannot offer love to one who wrongs us, but that is exactly what Jesus asks of us. If we desire an example, we need only look at what Jesus did from upon the cross (Luke 23:24).

Many thought the Messiah would bring armies of vengeance to remove the oppressors of Israel, but Jesus brought to the people a greater power, the power of love. He taught us that it was not enough to love those who love us, but to also love those who may mean us harm ( Mathew 5:43-48 ).

We must see that through the power of forgiveness, vengeance may be set aside and left to the judgment of the Lord (Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:29-31). As we forgive others, we also free ourselves of the bonds of hostility and the anguish which consumes our heart and our soul. Through forgiveness, we are able to shed the negative energy which saps our daily strength. We need not dwell upon the wrong, instead, we may turn our energies to sharing in love as well as rejoicing in the good news that His forgiveness is also ours for all we have done and what we have failed to do.

Blessed are those who forgive, for in so doing, forgiveness shall be theirs (Luke 6:37).