Good Morning
Unapologetically Raw:
Forgiveness is one of the most talked about concepts in the Bible. If it is talked about so much and God is ALWAYS willing to forgive us if we ask, what do you think He would want us to do when someone asks us for forgiveness?
Maybe God deals with forgives so much because He knows the hearts of the humans He created.
Biblically, in the old testament, animal sacrifices, even human sacrifices were offered up to God for those who sought forgiveness.
Christians, Jews and Muslims alike committed sins, murders, all in the name of God, and forgiveness.
It may do us as Christians to study or refresh our minds with the life of Jesus Christ. He is the only Savior that I know who taught us the true nature of forgiveness. Every instance where Jesus had the opportunity to demonstrate forgiveness, He had Mercy. He used Grace and Mercy to teach us the right way to forgive.
One instance that stays fresh in my mind was when David committed murder, envy, adultery, abuse of power, jealousy just to name a few.
He forgave David. He permitted David to live out his life. God did that after revealing to David through instruction, and offering David the opportunity to analyze his actions. David is one of God’s ideal lessons in Forgiveness.
God forgave David and measured a consequence of David’s actions at the same time.
David could not build God a temple, even though, he was able to live out the rest of his life, God forgave him.
As we live now, we have an example of how we should forgive.
I cannot just leave it here just showing God’s forgiveness of man. He showed us how to forgive each other including woman. In the beginning, according to the book of Genesis, God forgave Adam, Eve and even the snake. He allowed them to live out the rest of their lives, while leaving them consequences of their actions. They were all able to live out their lives, the snake to slide on his belly, the man to have to work hard for the rest of his days and the woman to bear excruciating pain in childbirth. There is no instance where Jesus offers a life for a life.
When I think about how Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a thank you to God for delivering the ammonite to him in battle, I cringe!!!!!
Can you imagine having to sacrifice your child for any reason?
It was needful that God send His only Son to earth for redemption of sins and to teach us how to be a friend, how to love and most of all how to forgive.
There is not one instance that Jesus during His time on earth did not forgive and did not give us teachable moments in that process. Once instant was the woman at the well…There is no greater lesson than when he asked the question, “If any of you are without sin, you throw the first stone in condemnation of this woman.”
Another instant was when Satan tried to tempt Jesus, the Savior, Jesus could have handled Satan, but He had a purpose and so did Satan.
Another instant was when God revealed to Jesus that Judas was going to betray Jesus, Jesus had the power to stop Judas but if Jesus had done that we would not enjoy the benefits of God’s forgiveness. God needed to sacrifice His innocent Son, so that we could be forgiven for all of the laws and customs that humans created in the name of forgiveness, redemption, and attrition.
God in His permissive Will allowed man to become murderers, liars, thieves, idolaters, judgers, jurors, and executioners all in (their desire to make things right.)
In the New Testament, Jesus came through the virgin who had committed no sins, who was pure and lived His days on earth demonstrating to us how to live, love, and forgive.
When Jesus had been tortured, beaten, abused, He asked God to forgive the people because if they had any idea that they were crucifying the Savior, they would not have fulfilled their purpose.
It was needful that Jesus say that to His Father because, the people were unknowingly committing sin against God.
Jesus carried every sin with Him into the grave.
It is rare that Preachers, Leaders, construct and instruct lectures on forgiveness.
It is needful that as Preachers, we teach on forgiveness. From the young children to adults, we must model Jesus’ examples on forgiveness. The prisons are filled with people who have committed sins to include murder and have not been offered true forgiveness and restoration after consequences have been met.
As Saints of God and even unbelievers, when we are in positions of power, we must forbear and forgive one another even as Christ forgives us. It is okay that you forgive but many of us humans like to say, I will forgive you but I will not forget?
I leave you with this question. If you forgive and do not forget, have you really forgiven?