I try to avoid situations where a discussion turns into a heated argument but it's not always possible. Certain people have a way of pushing my buttons. I have learned to cope with this but sometimes, sometimes I just can't let it go.
When someone say something nasty about you or perhaps even talks behind your back our natural reaction is to strike back, get revenge. If you're a Christian you know that we're called to forgive, not to seek revenge. In fact I don't think it's too much to say that forgiveness is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. However, forgiving someone who's wronged us is infinitely harder than receiving forgiveness.
I was doing a study recently on Matthew 18 where Jesus tells the story of a king who forgives his servant a huge debt, something in the order of $10 million. What an awesome gift! Now you would think this guy would be in a great mood, a generous and forgiving mood.
But no. Someone who owed him money, about $11, asked him to be patient and give him a little more time to pay it back. The forgiven servant's response - he had the man thrown in prison. Wow! What a response. When the king heard about this he immediately revoked his generous gift and threw the ungrateful servant in prison.
This guy had received forgiveness, but he hadn't really experienced forgiveness deep down. Because he hadn’t really experienced it, he couldn’t share it with others.
When I don't forgive someone I'm dragging this anger, resentment and pain around like a ball and chain fastened to my leg. Forgiving someone frees me as well as the offender. In fact it might be more for me than for them. But what about the injustice this person did to me? How do I/we get justice?
Romans 12:19 says "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." So there it is. We leave the revenge, the payback, the judging to God. We forgive and move on with our life. God will worry about the other person. What a concept.
I don't know about you but it goes against my natural instincts. But, I'll take God at his word, forgive and move on. Alexander Pope once said, "To err is human; to forgive, Divine." It really is and sometime we need divine help to do it. That's what prayer is for.
Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive, someone who has wronged you, either intentionally or unintentionally? Get rid of that ball and chain you're dragging around with you and be free.
