Forgiveness

Someone once said, "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

Tonight my sister shared a fair bit of her journey in Ireland prior to her permanent return to Malaysia when she graduated several years ago. She mentioned about taking time to seek forgiveness from everyone that she once hurt or offended, be it small or big. 

Reminded of several occasions in the Bible where Jesus insisted on the greatness and urgency to forgive. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant is perhaps one of the best examples we should keep in heart dearly.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (77???)

He continues, “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

Take note of verse 35!

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

In Colossians 3:13 it says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

In Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (ESV)

Often we are just like the servant that owed Jesus way way too much, too vast too insurmountable that there is no way we can ever pay back our debt. A life crucified and sacrificed for us. We in the very first position are not worthy to receive the forgiveness from Him, the Forgiver. There is no greater example, no greater demonstration of forgiveness and love other than the one vividly shown on the Cross.

We are forgiven of our sins, yet when we choose not to forgive others, we sin.

If we think about how great a sinner we are, yet freely we receive the grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us, as white as snow, how can we NOT forgive our fellow friends or believers who wronged us, either intentional or unintentionally? When Christ forgives us, there is no condition attached. When we choose not to forgive, there is a sign of bitterness and pride. Danger!

Remove the log from our own eyes. Dare one to boast that he is righteous and have never wronged others. The truth is that we are all imperfect beings, that in our imperfection there will always be occasions that we hurt or wrong others, be it small, huge, unintentionally or being negligent.

Reflecting on my days here on earth, way too many occasions I hurt or wronged someone, the worst is when I couldn't even remember what I have said or done. And surely I gotta forgive all those whom in their weakness did the same to me.

The next time when we struggle to forgive, remember what Jesus once did to us. Forgiveness that has been ready before we even asked for it. Remember the Parable in Matthew 18. Forgive as the Lord forgave us. Sometimes, we don't need a reason to forgive, if we have love. The perfect love doesn't seek a reason to forgive us the unlovable.

Christmas is here! Time to bless and to forgive! Time to say, "Arghh is alright! Don't keep it in your heart!" Time to say, "I forgive you!" Time to say, "I am sorry ..."! Forgiveness makes this world a better place to live in. Forgiveness lightens both the forgiver and receiver's heart. Forgiveness is the antidote to a bitter heart. Forgiveness is Christ's supreme mercy. Forgiveness allows us to find our way up. Forgiveness bridges our relationship with our Father. To forgive is to humble oneself.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” ~ Colossians 3:12-14