For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13
When someone has done something to you in a way that hurts to the core, how can you forgive them? The major issue is that, have they asked for forgiveness? Does this matter? Well, our flesh says "yes it matters look at what they did!!!" Our flesh is wanting revenge and The Holy Spirit is bearing witness to Jesus! The Holy Spirit is telling us "did Jesus forgive us before or after we killed Him?" DId He offer Salvation to us when we cleaned our self up first or while we were yet sinners? The scripture says "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Have we as Christians asked our self "why did you love me God?" "Why am I still here and alive?"It is because He loved us from the beginning! He did not want us to sin against Him, but we did! He forgives us, but by choice we must ask for forgiveness to receive His Grace. It is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
The question is still out there " can we forgive someone for hurting us if they are not truly sorry(true repentance)?" Jesus Christ wants us to forgive them, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15
As a child of God, we must forgive them. If they have not asked for forgiveness we still must forgive. That act of mercy will triumph over judgment(James 2:13b). That person now has a choice to make, receive that mercy and break or reject our forgiveness and he will harden himself. When we forgive, even if they do not ask for it, it shows Jesus Christ! Then the other person can see HIm! It all points to Him not us, remember our flesh wants revenge! We give God all glory and honor in EVERYTHING. The scripture says Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, 3thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails 1 Cor 13:4-8a
Hear me i am not saying that what ever that person has done there want be consequences. " Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:7-8
God will have His day ,and He is the Judge! That is why we must forgive and do what is right in every way. If that love is to stop that person from hurting others and confront that, yes that is what we do. .............God bless you
Thank you Pastor Chad for staying true to your calling!!
Ok, I am your wife, so of course I'm biased, but I just had to comment on this one. What a timely message on forgiveness...& right on! With the personal, momentary trial we are experiencing right now, I commend you for taking the high road & admonishing others to do the same. As Christ-followers, it is up to us to walk in a manner worthy of our Lord, & you are exactly right...how can we expect His forgiveness if we dont freely give it to those who we see as our offenders!? Oh, wretched men (& women!) that we are, to think we are better than any other sinner because our sins "aren't as bad!?" Yes, in a Holy God's eyes, they most certainly are. I'm blessed to have you as my spiritual leader, helping me see things from a clearer perspective than I sometimes do on my own. Keep on "reflecting," baby...you're "going public" & I love it! ;)
ReplyDeleteCan you explain this verse?
ReplyDeleteJESUS SAID, “PEACE BE WITH YOU! AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, I AM SENDING YOU.” AND WITH THAT HE BREATHED ON THEM AND SAID, “RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. IF YOU FORGIVE ANYONE HIS SINS, THEY ARE FORGIVEN; IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE THEM, THEY ARE NOT FORGIVEN”….John 20: 21-22 NIV.