How do YOU forgive?
How does God forgive?
Do you forgive others, as you believe God forgives others, or
Do you forgive others, as you believe God forgives YOU?
Do you forgive like;
1.The people who we have all seen, who have forgiven others in such a way, that no one would ever have guessed that they had ever had anything to forgive in the 1st place?
~ Or ~
Do you forgive like;
2. The people who we all know, who have forgiven in such a way, where every one would believe that the issue was still going on that caused the turmoil that needed to be forgiven in the 1st place?
Example 1 is saying that no matter what happened, I love you more than the problem.
(We should all want to hear God tell us He really forgives us…completely & unconditionally)
Example 2 is saying that even though I forgive you, I don’t want to be around you.
(Does anyone want to have God tell them, “We’re good, but stay away from me?”)
How do YOU forgive?
Either way, in the scripture today, God is telling us that;
How we forgive others, is How HE will forgive us.
So what does this all mean?
It means we all better be living like Christ.
☆ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
• Ephesians 5:1-2
And how did Christ live?
Sacrificially.
He said, while after being beaten, scorned and hanged upon a cross;
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:24)
Even when He had more right to be unforgiving than anyone in the history of all time.
Christ did not forgive like so many people, and even way too many Christians do, when they say they forgive, but in reality, even though they are not being overtly hateful, they still have enough unresolved bitterness deep down inside, that they do not fully let go, welcome back, or unconditionally love that person.
Why?
Because that is not forgiveness, that is ACCEPTANCE.
☆ 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.
• Colossians 3:13
God HAS forgiven the sins of anyone who has accepted Him.
But the above passage shows many don’t forgive the same to others after that.
Some of them may keep grudges, bitterness, resentments or unforgiveness in their hearts…
What kind of Christian are they?
They are like the king who forgave the huge debtor, and didn’t put him in prison, but then that same debtor turned around and threw a small debtor in prison…(Matthew 18:21-35)
That is the Christian who is forgiven by God, but can’t forgive a brother.
Why?
PRIDE
Bitterness, resentments, grudges and unforgiveness is a consequence of pride.
But that is not how we are to live after we have accepted Christ.
We are asked to die to self. Esteem others more. Be compassionate.
☆ Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
• Ephesians 4:32
It is obvious that there are eternal consequences to the unforgiving heart.
Especially that heart of a Christian.
How do YOU forgive?
I hope like Christ…completely, unconditionally and with a heart of love.
I love you guys!
