Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
November 30, 2011
Read Ephesians 4:32
“As God in Christ forgave you.”
Is there a greater contradiction on earth than a Christian who holds a grudge? How is it that we who have been redeemed from our sins through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ still find a way to withhold forgiveness from those who have sinned against us? I don’t know if there is anyone who is more creative at unforgiveness than I. I can find a million ways to keep the sins of others hanging over their heads while still feeling spiritual about the whole thing. I have a top ten list of super-spiritual rationales for unforgiveness that I can use at any given moment. I wonder if you have a similar list.
10. “I’ve forgiven them, I just haven’t forgotten.”
9. “I’m still processing my feelings.”
8. “I’m waiting for them to repent.”
7. “I just need time to heal first.”
6. “I’m afraid of getting hurt again.”
5. “I haven’t received a word from God yet.”
4. “I have forgiven them, but I don’t have to talk to them again.”
3. “I’m just having trouble trusting them.”
2. “I’m showing them tough love.”
1. “I’m waiting for God’s time…”
No doubt there are times when each of these is a legitimate idea, but too often they are simply excuses for holding on to a grudge a little longer. Did you notice a common word in each line? “I” was the main concern. Unforgiveness turns us inward so that we are the most important factor in the situation. But what if Jesus had used these lines on us. Can you imagine the garden of Gethsemane? ”Oh father, I just don’t know about this whole forgiveness thing. I mean, I’d really like to but these people don’t even act sorry for their sins, and besides I just don’t know if I can trust them not to hurt me again. Do I have to like them or can I just forgive them and get away from them?” I am so glad this conversation never happened. Christ forgave us with the shedding of his own sinless blood and still forgives us as often as we come to him.
We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us. His forgiveness for us is the standard by which we are to forgive others when they sin against us. Jesus forgiveness was, sincere, deep, unending, and sacrificial—it hurt him to set us free. Only through the indwelling Holy Spirit can we ever hope to forgive as He did and still does. This challenge should drive us, not to despair, but to desperation. If we are to forgive as Christ then we must become desperate for his presence and power in our lives. Are you desperate for more of him? Then you shall have access to all his power and love, so that when the time comes to forgive you will have all you need.
Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)
