WHEN GOD FORGIVES #2


Hello once again and today we begin part two of "When God Forgives." One of the best descriptions of forgiveness I have ever heard goes something like this; "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that crushes it." Think about that for a minute. That violet only releases the true essence of what makes the violet a violet. It is pure violet all the way through and nothing else. No matter how much fertilizer or manure has been thrown its way, it still becomes a beautiful violet. It was at one time only a seed with no life or beauty of its own. But when it was planted and cared for by the master gardener, it became that beautiful flower and without complaint.


As we continue with our study on forgiveness, for those who are in Christ there is a very important aspect we fail many times to truly appreciate and understand, or obey. That, of course, is that as we have been forgiven by God and Christ of all our sins, we are to forgive others of all their sins against us. The very first time this concept is mentioned in the New Testament is when Christ Himself teaches us to pray. In Matthew 6:12 Jesus says, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (NIV). That is in the past tense. Forgive us as we have already forgiven others. Another example comes from Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)


As Christians we have an obligation to forgive, not a choosing of whom or when or if. When we recognize what we have IN CHRIST, what He did to forgive us, and how unworthy we were (and are) to receive His salvation, do we not owe that to anyone and everyone no matter what they have done to hurt us? The Bible, God's Word, tells us that Christ died for ALL sins. Not just for the few simple ones we did, that are certainly not as bad as what THOSE PEOPLE have done. The Bible says He became ALL SIN FOR US. In II Corinthians 5:21 the Holy Spirit speaks through Paul and says, "God made him (Christ) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (NIV).


If there is any way for the Christian to live in any generation, it is to imitate Christ Himself and to be the righteousness of Christ. As He was even on the cross in all the agony and pain that He did not deserve, He asked God to forgive everyone around for what they had done. Can you imagine one of those people who crucified the Lord on that day being in heaven? I can, because that person will be just like you and me. Remember when Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus? Jesus appeared in Acts 9:4 where it says, "He (Saul) fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? “Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied (NIV). Paul had offended many people of “THE WAY” (Christianity), but Christ said later in that story that HE Himself would show Paul how much he should suffer.


When God's people are hurt, abused or offended, we need to look at it as Christ being persecuted, not ourselves, and then let God deal with them for His benefit and His glory. The point I want to make in all that has been said today is simple. No matter how much STUFF (manure, fertilizer) has been placed in your life by way of abuse or humiliation of any kind and from anyone, look at it as God allowing you to be fertilized so you can grow strong. Do not look at it as a negative or like "Why ME?" Those who have made it tough for you should only make you tougher and stronger as a child of God.


The Bible is clear when it tells us that if we fail to truly forgive each other, not just say it but show it, God Himself will not forgive us. Refusing to show forgiveness is a terrible thought and it will keep anyone from the glories of heaven. It is simply not worth holding on to bitterness and anger and unforgiveness toward another person and miss being with God and Christ forever. Take inventory of what Christ has for us and not how you have been offended. May God bless and continue to grow in Him.