Forgiveness and the Christian

Forgiveness and the Christian

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 
James 2:12,13.
Are you merciful? Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Jesus said,
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  
But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 
                                                                                                           Matthew 6:14,15.
As Christians we will have over our lifetime many whom we disagree with. Many people who will sin against us and speak wrongly about us.
The true test of a Christian is if you can forgive them.
I’ve been a Christian over four decades now. I’ve come across people who have said bad things against me. People who have hurt me by the words they’ve said.
Words actually hurt more than physical injuries at times. They continue in your mind long after the person speaking them has forgotten them.
The key I’ve found is forgiving them.
Going to God in prayer also helps. Telling God of any hurt you have. Someone one told me, when your are hurt you need to pray it away. Stay talking to God until the hurt subsides and it does eventually go away.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t in love approach the person who has hurt us and tell them they have they have hurt us. That at times is needed also, because many times a person does not realize they’ve hurt someone.
Forgiveness should take a large place in a Christians life. Jesus while on the cross for gave those who crucified him. This is an example of what we should do.
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” 
                                                                          Matthew 18:21,22.
Jesus here wasn’t putting a number on how many times we are to forgive. He didn’t mean forgive 490 times. He meant forgive innumerable times.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 
                 C.S. Lewis.
Forgiveness is one of the corner stones of being a Christian.
Please think about it.