In living the Christian life, we do not find our pattern in a set of laws. Rather the character and actions of Jesus Christ provide us with a wonderful example to follow with the help of his Holy Spirit. Today we begin looking at the pattern set by our Savior as he faced the great crises of his suffering and his death on the cross.
What can the words of the Savior from the cross say to modern humanity concerning the manner in which we should face the crises, the struggles, and the hurts of life? Can we agree that we are to make a serious and concerted effort to face life with its crises, responsibilities, and opportunities as our Lord did?
Let's listen to our Lord's words from the cross to discover his manner of facing the unpleasant things of life. We will find that our Lord faced, met, and conquered mistreatment by practicing forgiveness. How do you react to mistreatment?
- Do you resort to personal revenge and retaliation in word or deed?
- Do you respond by developing an attitude of resentment that eventually leads to self-pity and then to despair within your heart?
- Do you respond with an attitude of hostility that develops into deep bitterness and hurtful hate? This can lead to an attitude of anger that leads to murder.
Luke 23:34 reveals that Jesus reacted with forgiveness to mistreatment by his apostles, by the Jewish officials, by the Roman authorities, by Roman soldiers, and the crowds. Alexander Pope, an English poet, once said, "To err is human; to forgive, divine." All of us can agree with this truth.
In the Old Testament forgiveness is divine, for there is little human forgiveness to be found in it. To forgive meant "to cover up, to blot out, to lift up a burden, to send away." But in the New Testament some new elements are added to forgiveness. In the teachings of our Lord, to forgive means to repudiate, or refuse the right to retaliate, to restore a ruptured relationship, to return good for evil, and to heal broken fellowship.
Jesus insisted that his disciples practice forgiveness. He taught that forgiveness of others is a condition for receiving forgiveness from God (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25). Jesus also taught that forgiveness is to be granted as an act of grace on the part of the injured person (Luke 17:3-4). And that forgiveness must not be limited (Matthew 18:21-22).
The primary benefit that comes as a result of forgiveness is experienced in the heart of the person who does the forgiving. Let's rephrase this in the form of a question, "What is the importance of a spirit of forgiveness? " Now, we can look at several examples that help us answer this question.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for a healthy emotional life on the part of the injured person. The most unhealthy thing a person can do is to harbor hate and hostility. Forgiveness purges this destructive emotion from the thought processes and from the emotional life of the person who has been injured.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for a successful marriage and wholesome home life. Even the best husband and wife will occasionally mistreat each other in some manner. Children have been known to mistreat parents, and parents have been known to mistreat children. The practice of forgiveness is the only thing that can heal broken relationships from day to day.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for effective Christian witness. People can believe in the forgiveness of God only when they see it practiced and when they feel the results of it in personal experience.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for power in prayer. This is emphasized by the words that follow the model prayer found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15). If we harden our hearts with an attitude of hostility, we shut out God's grace as a benevolent power in our lives.
Jesus was not declaring that forgiveness was a price we must pay in order to have power in prayer. He was affirming that it is a condition we must meet for power in prayer. There is a difference.
To forgive has never been easy, because it is incompatible with our earthly nature. In fact, forgiveness is usually not even expected. It seems more reasonable that we should react with hate than with love when we are mistreated. But there is hope for us. While on the cross our Lord demonstrated the possibility of our being able to grant forgiveness toward those who mistreat us.
In fact, several things can be done to find this help and to develop the habit of being forgiving rather than giving way to hate and retaliation. We can recognize and acknowledge that an unforgiving spirit is contrary to the will of God. We can recognize and acknowledge that forgiveness is the only sane way to deal with painful experiences.
We can recognize that forgiveness is God's divinely ordained method by which we purge hate from our hearts. We can recognize that a spirit of forgiveness can be a strong creative force for good. We can recognize that our Lord's forgiving us of our sins is the basis on which we are to practice forgiveness toward others (Colossians 3:13).
In conclusion, look to Jesus' pattern in granting forgiveness to those who mistreat you. With God's help in practicing forgiveness you will become a medium through whom others will experience forgiveness, both human and divine.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:37; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:26; Luke 6:27; Proverbs 3:5; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 3:6; Mark 11:25-27
Prayer: Hear, Lord, the prayers we offer from contrite hearts. Have pity on us as we acknowledge our sins. Lead us back to the way of holiness. Protect us now and always from the wounds of sin. May we ever keep safe in all its fullness the gift your love once gave us and your mercy now restores. Amen
Have a blessed day!
Debbie
Jesus insisted that his disciples practice forgiveness. He taught that forgiveness of others is a condition for receiving forgiveness from God (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25). Jesus also taught that forgiveness is to be granted as an act of grace on the part of the injured person (Luke 17:3-4). And that forgiveness must not be limited (Matthew 18:21-22).
The primary benefit that comes as a result of forgiveness is experienced in the heart of the person who does the forgiving. Let's rephrase this in the form of a question, "What is the importance of a spirit of forgiveness? " Now, we can look at several examples that help us answer this question.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for a healthy emotional life on the part of the injured person. The most unhealthy thing a person can do is to harbor hate and hostility. Forgiveness purges this destructive emotion from the thought processes and from the emotional life of the person who has been injured.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for a successful marriage and wholesome home life. Even the best husband and wife will occasionally mistreat each other in some manner. Children have been known to mistreat parents, and parents have been known to mistreat children. The practice of forgiveness is the only thing that can heal broken relationships from day to day.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for effective Christian witness. People can believe in the forgiveness of God only when they see it practiced and when they feel the results of it in personal experience.
The practice of granting forgiveness is essential for power in prayer. This is emphasized by the words that follow the model prayer found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15). If we harden our hearts with an attitude of hostility, we shut out God's grace as a benevolent power in our lives.
Jesus was not declaring that forgiveness was a price we must pay in order to have power in prayer. He was affirming that it is a condition we must meet for power in prayer. There is a difference.
To forgive has never been easy, because it is incompatible with our earthly nature. In fact, forgiveness is usually not even expected. It seems more reasonable that we should react with hate than with love when we are mistreated. But there is hope for us. While on the cross our Lord demonstrated the possibility of our being able to grant forgiveness toward those who mistreat us.
In fact, several things can be done to find this help and to develop the habit of being forgiving rather than giving way to hate and retaliation. We can recognize and acknowledge that an unforgiving spirit is contrary to the will of God. We can recognize and acknowledge that forgiveness is the only sane way to deal with painful experiences.
We can recognize that forgiveness is God's divinely ordained method by which we purge hate from our hearts. We can recognize that a spirit of forgiveness can be a strong creative force for good. We can recognize that our Lord's forgiving us of our sins is the basis on which we are to practice forgiveness toward others (Colossians 3:13).
In conclusion, look to Jesus' pattern in granting forgiveness to those who mistreat you. With God's help in practicing forgiveness you will become a medium through whom others will experience forgiveness, both human and divine.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32; Luke 6:37; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:26; Luke 6:27; Proverbs 3:5; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 3:6; Mark 11:25-27
Prayer: Hear, Lord, the prayers we offer from contrite hearts. Have pity on us as we acknowledge our sins. Lead us back to the way of holiness. Protect us now and always from the wounds of sin. May we ever keep safe in all its fullness the gift your love once gave us and your mercy now restores. Amen
Have a blessed day!
Debbie
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